YOU: On a Diet - and other Oprah inspired diets - Chicks Christmas Challenge- Please Join Me!!!!!!!!!

Good Morning,

This morning I had a great idea. Christmas is about 14 weeks away. I know that christmas is usually all about children, but this time let it be about us. Let's start a christmas challenge. That way we have something to look forward too. And we all know that the holidays are a time when you get to see all the relatives that you don't get to see once a year, so let's give them something to talk about.

I hearby challenge myself to lose 25 pounds by christmas 2004. That means my weight should be about 187. Wow I haven't weighed 187 since my daughter was born 3 years ago.

I am with you! 25 by Christmas would be WONDERFUL. I am 209 right now so by Christmas I should be 184. That would be wonderful! (I said that already right?)

Count me in, I love these challenges....Lets see my goal should be....235 by Christmas. I'm 270 by now...so that is 35 pounds...if that seems too unreasonable later on I will modify it.

me too !!!!!!!!!
i have 20 pounds to go to be pre-pregnancy weight (just before my first baby, 16 years ago....) oh boy that sounds like a long time.....
peace and love
:) kate

Good going girls

I am glad to see that someone else is joining me on this journey. Good luck to you all. Remember to keep me posted on your progress. :grouphug: Now on three, GO FAT CHICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:stars:

I'd
like to
join in this
challenge too.
My Hallowe'en goal
is to loose 10 pounds.
That will put me at 245 lbs.
Realistically, I should be able to
loose another 10 pounds by Christmas.
So, my goal is to be at 235 pounds at Christmas
JOY

I would love to join you all.
My goal for Christmas is 20lbs. That would put me at 194 - I would be below 200! That would be a good present for me!
:^:

I would LOVE to join you guys!!!
My summer is HOT, so this will be a wonderful start.
How is it going to work? Do we weigh in every week? for the 14 weeks?

I think that we just weight ourselves whenever but don't forget to keep everyone posted on your progress!!!! Good luck!!

I'm in. I want to weigh 130 by X-mas. That would mean 21 pounds. Cool post squabb

WoooHooo!! Another 5lbs off for me!!! I am at 265 now!!!!!

I think I'm in. 25lbs by Christmas would put me at 188lbs, which is almost halfway to my goal. I think I'm gonna go home tonight and just throw away all the sugary stuff. We can do this!

I am with you. I have already started cutting back on my fat grams per day. I also joined the YMCA (they have free baby sitting while you work out :) ) My big goal is to lose 30 lbs. by my 31st b-day (april 20) will put me at 125. So my mini goal is to lose half by christmas..15 lbs.
I also am trying to drink 64 oz of h2o a day. So far so good...half way there for today. I went to the gym already today. I am very proud of my self. I walked and ran a 14 min mile and then I got on the bike for 20 min. and did 7 miles!!!!! :dizzy: unbelievable. I feel awesome. for breakfast I had 13 fat grams and after my workout I had 12.5 fat grams at lunch. Today is a great day.
Katibug: I know how you feel about your carbs, believe me. But don't cut them all out completely, you need some carbs. That is where you get your energy. Just cut back.
Good luck to us all. I think this thread is going to be good for me. I am glad I found it.

Hello all. I didn't do as great at the gym today. I only did a 13.19 mile and quit. but I ran most of it. That is my fastest time yet. I have drank 64 oz of h2o already. So I am doing good with that. I want a large carmel swerl iced latte so so bad. That is one treat I need to give up though I hate to. They are so good. I don't know how bad they are as far as fat and sugar and all the bad stuff but I am sure they are pretty bad. Well, hope everyone is doing good. Talk to ya tomorrow.

Do NOT get discouraged over the mile time! We all have up and down days in the gym. I did 200 crunches on the machine one day. The following week when it was time to work my abs again, I couldn't do 100 without quitting. As long as you are doing SOMETHING and not sitting on your tookus 24/7, you are ahead of the game.

Good luck!

I am so in on this. 25 lbs by Christmas! That would put me at 225. YEAH!!

Congratulations to everyone who is doing this challenge!! :cheer:

My husband surprised me with a gym membership last night, so when I got up this morning I went. I was scared to death, but I went because I knew it would be good for me.

My friend is going to go with me and we are going to attend a few classes together - step classes, pilates, biking...sounds like fun!!!

It's wonderful that your husband thought enough to get you a gym membership (did you have to give a hint or two) Well anyway that is great. Samantha please start slow. I know that you are excited. but please don't go overboard. Good luck to you and keep us posted on the progress. :tread: :goodscale

I was doing so good until today. I didn't go to the gym or even do a home video. And to top it off I had pancakes for lunch!!! I had about 40 fat grams today. And I am still craving a carmel swerl iced latte. Well tomorrow is another day.

LIFE IS NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF
LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF :flow1:

e. mccoy - thank you for your concern. But don't worry, I don't plan on going to ALL of those classes, my schedule won't allow it. Those are just my choices. And I know going in I probably won't be able to keep up with the other people, and that's ok with me. I will not go overboard.
michelle - Don't worry about yesterday. Everyone has off-days, the trick is to have more good days afterwards. I know you can do it!!!

Thanks Samantha for the encouragment. I feel like you do about going to classes and not being able to keep up. When I joined the Y I said I was going to do classes, but now I just go and do the threadmill and the bike. I figure I will do that till my heart gets in good shape and then maybe I will be able to keep up. But ya know, I pass by the gym on my way out to peek in at the classes and everyone in there looks like me. I don't know what I am waiting for to join in on a class. I am not the aerobic type and I am not very cordinated. I guess that is why. Good luck to you I hope you have fun. Ok ladies, everyone have a great day. Bye for now.

LIFE IS NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF
LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF!!!

Michelle - an update for me, I went to a step class today (OMG) and I did terrible compared to everyone else!!!!!!! But that's okay, you know why? Because I DID GREAT COMPARED TO ME!!!!!! And NOONE said anything about me, no negative comments at all. Actually, the only person who even said anything to me was the trainer, as I was leaving (in the middle of class!!) she told me that I did a really good job, and not to worry about it if I couldn't finish, that she didn't used to be able to finish a whole class, either, and to come back again and again until I am able to!!!
MY NEW GOAL:

I WILL be able to finish an entire class! I will I will I will...even if it takes me 2 full years....I swear to God I will be able to finish a whole class.

If I can do this, I promise you, you can too.

:) Sam

Hi all this sounds great I will try to lose 25lbs by Christmas also good luck to you all. This will be on present I hope I never have to return.

Count me in...... I too will try to lose 25 lbs by Christmas. My birthday was Wednesday 9/22/04 so all of the birthday cake should be gone by Sunday. So Monday 9/27/04 is my start date!

I didn't go to the gym again today..but I did do a little (and I mean a little)lifting weights before grocery shopping and taking my daughter to the doctor. I have still been watching my food intake. 690 cals. so far today and 29 fat grams.
Samantha :cp:yeh for you for trying a step class. You will be able to finish a full class. :yes: Was it a little fun? :?:
ok be back tomorrow. bye ladies.

LIFE IF NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF
LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF!!! :flow1

Yeah, it was fun. I was very fast paced. I will also have to work on my coordination. I had a hard time trying to figure out when to step LOL. (No wonder I can't dance LOL)
But overall, I am super glad that I did it. No more classes until Monday but here will be my "class" schedule:
Monday 8:30a-9:30a Step II
Tuesday EITHER: 5:30p-06:30p Pilates Combo
OR: 7:30p-8:30p Step I
Friday 8:30a-9:30a Step N Flex

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, I will just be on the treadmill at the gym.

Sundays will either be my day off, or I will have to go to the park to walk because the gym is only open from 1p-6p, and that is when I work. I haven't decided yet.

So...I am pretty excited. I really felt good after I got out of there today. I don't think I have ever worked out that much!!!

:) Sam

Hi,
Count me in!!! That will put me in at 250 at Christmas. I havent seen 250 in forever. I have to really get motivated though. I keep slipping everyday. I dont know what my problem is, but bear with me, I will need alot of support from this site. Anyone live in the Metro Detroit area of Michigan? That would be alot of fun to meet or something.

Lets do this!!!!

I'm doing ok food-wise, but I don't have the motivation to EXERCISE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know that I'm not going to get anywhere if I don't exercise, but I find it such a hassle.
Anyone want to kick my butt out the door???????????

Hi all :wave:

Sam - I know it won't be long until you can finish a class, I often watch them while I'm in the gym and wonder if I can do it. I congratulate you on trying and not just standing back and watching.... :coach: YOU CAN DO IT! :drill:

michelle_Y Have you tried putting yourself in training mode at the gym, by setting mini daily goals to check off, figure it out before you start, say I'll run 10 minutes today, 11 minutes tomorrow.... or I'll burn 200 calories today or.... that way you challenge yourself to meet what you've set out to do.... also....sometimes if you change things up a little one day running one day swimming or biking or elipical or rowing...... that helps you not get bored. :strong:

Well my news is that I'm down 6.4 pounds, that leaves 13.6 to go by Christmas...:cp:
I think that may be about a pound a week.... sounds very do-able. :cheer:

Well here's wishing everyone stays OP..... :lucky: :cb: :jig:

:-J
:lol3::lol3::lol3::lol3::lol3::lol3::lol3:

Kathy - read this thread for a kick in the *** -

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46773


I go back and read it frequently to get motivated.

:) Sam

Hi! My name is Kelly and I am a newbie here and would love to join in on this challenge. 25 lbs by Christmas will put me right at my goal weight, and that would be the best present I could get. :D I've lost 20 lbs so far and need something like this to kick me in the butt!

Last night I went to a chili cookout and i really pigged out. Im not even going to tell you what i ate but it wasn't pretty. I hope i don't pay for it today when i get on the scale. I have a baby shower to go to today. I think i need to take it easy today. I will probably just raid the veggie tray. I had a very busy day yesterday. I was up at 6 a.m. to attend a women's wellness walk. I learned o lot of things that i should do to become healthy. I also got my blood pressure checked, my blood sugar and my BMI. My blood pressure was normal as usual 110/80, my sugar was 92, but my bmi was 36% (that is terrible) Then i attended the chili cookout at about 6 pm and ate up a storm. I am really going to work hard at the gym this week. My goal is to go 5 days this week. 45 min of cardio and 30 min of strength training. This will be my punishment for pigging out. I know that i have got to work hard if I want that 25 pounds to be gone for christmas.

e.mccoy - don't beat yourself up too much about that. It happens to all of us. Please don't consider going to the gym as a "punishment" because that will make you not want to do it. Instead, think about how good you will feel when you get done at the gym.
:tread: Just get back on!! :)

Hi, my name is Wanda and I'm a newbie here but I would love to join in this challenge! I will try to lose 20lbs by Christmas which would put me at 185lbs. A huge improvement from where I am now. I've only lost 6 lbs since I've started thinking about weight loss and I really need a push to hit the finish.

I really have no regular exercise routine right now. I do Pilates off and on (I actually love doing it so I don't know why I don't do it more often!) as well I lift weighs off and on and go on regular walks. I just need to find a routine. I'm thinking of going to a circuit training place (like Curves) that is available where I am located. Anyone have any luck with these centers?

I keep a food diary faithfully with Fitday and it's been really helpful so I don't feel lacking in that area. Just an exercise program. I just feel so nervous starting anything out. How did you overcome your fears? I am letting them stand in my way and I hate it.

Wanda

Wanda - welcome to our challenge...20 lbs seems reasonable, you can do it!!
I also know how it is to be letting your fears stand in your way. Recently my husband got me a gym membership. I was TERRIFIED to go. I just KNEW that I was going to go in there, and there would be a bunch of skinny people (you know, the people that you don't even know why they go - because they certainly don't need to lose weight) I was worried that they would all be whispering about me, staring at me...etc....I was scared to death. And then, my first day I went, right as I pulled into the parking lot, I saw this HOTTIE guy walking into the gym, and I damn near turned around and went home. But I thought, you know what? I am not doing this for HIM. I am doing this for me. So I went in. Nobody stared. People were just in there minding their own business, working out at their own level, etc. It was such a relief. If I can do it (I am one of the most insecure people you will ever meet) than I KNOW you can do it. BUT, if you don't feel comfortable, maybe look for a gym that is not co-ed. Here in Amarillo they have a gym called Ladies Spa, and it is only for women. I used to go there. It was much less intimidating. The problem with them is they didn't have as many machines as the larger gyms do.

COUNT ME IN ON THE CHALLANGE IF ITS NOT TO LATE TO GET STARTED. I'm aiming for a 15 pound loss.

Present Weight: 175
Goal Weight: 160
Height: 5'4"
Age: 51

I so so need this ... My cardiologist will be so pleased!

Thanks for the help!

I recently started back at the gym after not going in a few years but I have found that most people are willing to give a great deal of encouragement and support when they see that you are putting forth the effort to lose weight. Yes I see a ton of fit and healthy people at the gym who kind of put me off because I feel like the only fat and unhealthy person there sometimes! but they are paying me no attention, they are more into focusing on their own workout which is as it should be.

Ms. Macca,

Welcome to our challenge. It's never too late to join us. We are glad to have you. I have lost track of how many weeks are left until christmas but I know that everyone can do it. Even if we don't lose what we intetionally wanted to lose, I think we will feel good about losing something. Good luck to you and keep us posted on your success.

Thanks to everyone that has chosen to take on this christmas challenge. Well as you may know, we have about thirteen more weeks until the big day.That's about 91 days. So where are you with your challenge goals. Have you quit or are you still going strong? Do you need a pick me up? Are you going backwards, gaining instead of losing? Let us know maybe we can help. Good luck to all of you, I hope everyone succeeds.

Hi,
I'm new also and would love to join your Christmas Challenge!! I'm 176 right now and would like to loose at least 25 pounds by Christmas. That would put me at 151. My goal weight is around 130-135. I'm 5' 5" so I think that is okay. I'll read and post everyday! This will be great!
Good luck everyone!
CarolLynn

No update for me yet, I will weigh myself in the morning, completly naked, no glasses, earings, nothing...and definitely after I pee!! I don't know how well I did this week, so we will just have to wait and see!

:wave: Hi all. The weekend is over-thank goodness. That is when my husband is off and we always end up going out to eat. :moo: But now I am getting back on track. Today I went to the gym. I didn't work out for very long 24 Min. but at least I went. And I had 1240 cals today and 27 fat grams. That was before I went to get that iced latte I have been craving for a week. So I guess I didn't do that great as far as my cal. intake. :shrug: But I got a med. instead of a large.
So how is everyone doing? 12 1/2 more wks. I don't have a scale so I don't know exactly how much I weigh somewhere b/w 150-155. But I took my measurements today. I am so far from where I want to be. I should post them but I don't know about that.
Good luck everyone.
LIFE IS NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF
LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF :flow1:

Thanks for the warm welcome ladies! I recently took a job to help out a family member and its taken over all my free time! What I do have left for me, I'm left exhausted. The workout I'm getting working there has helped on the scale already. I'm down to 203lbs this morning already. But it flucuates so much. I'm going to make a concentrated effort to include some workout time in my schedule this week. I know that it is the way to my goal, it's just the scheduling.

The gym that is available here is a women's only circuit training place and not busy at all. I think I'm more afraid of the fact that there is No One there than too many people there. Know what I mean? Plus I know the owner and I have a great deal of bad history with her. So it makes it hard to walk into her door and do business with her. But it is the only alternative. I may have time to fit it in tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to pack a workout bag with me to work and my gym shoes and make it that much more easy to go without excuses. I'll let you know if I make it...

Wanda

My weigh in was this morning and I am down to 262...how about everyone else??

Ug* I've been sick all week!:( Trying to at least eat clean because I can't get any cardio in because it makes me feel like I'm gonna cough up a lung! If I remain the same, then I'll be happpy. I just don't want to gain!!!

Last week I had no progress. I actually gained 2 pounds, but that is alright. Just 2 more pounds i have to lose before christmas. But i've been doing really good this week. Yestersday i did 1.75 miles on the treadmill and 2 miles on the elliptical. and today i did 2 miles on each. Wow i am on fire. I am trying to see some results this week. Well good luck again Challengers!!!!

I am keeping a journal of what I eat, how many cals and fat grams, and a work out journal. I was just going over my journals and I actually am doing better than last week so far. Last wk. I did 3 miles on the treadmill and 7 miles on the bike. But I was on my period so that is my excuss. So far this week I have done amost 3 miles on the treadmill and 6.55 miles on the bike and it is only tuesday. I can do alot in 5 more days. I feel better after looking over everything I have done. If you are not keeping a journal you should start.
Welcome all the new comers.

LIFE IS NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF
LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF!!! :flow1:

Michell Y -- If you like keeping track of your calories try fitday.com I use that every day to keep track ... see my siggie to see my food diary...

Kathy - read this thread for a kick in the *** -

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46773


I go back and read it frequently to get motivated.

:) Sam

Thanks!! I will add that to my favourites!!
My monday weigh in puts me at 213lbs - that's down from 220lbs - 7lbs lost!!!!!!!!!!
Only 18lbs for the challenge!!!

WOOOO HOOOO!! :cb:

I was down to 202 this morning! Plus I joined that circuit gym today and really enjoyed myself! So I'm on my way to my goal!!!

Wanda

Hey y'all. I would love to join this challenge. I have already lost 17 lbs and would love to match that by Christmas. That would put me just under goal weight. Mini goal is 5 lbs by my birthday which is 13th OCT. I haven't been that light for 10 years, but also haven't been 154 for 3 so am very happy.

Welcome to our challenge Suzi!

Wanda - congrats on your loss!! Very inspiring.

Kathy - glad you like the thread. I read it over and over again when I am feeling lazy.

Everyone else - congrats on your individual success stories!!!

Hi everyone!
I'm finally starting to feel better. I was sick for 10 DAYS!!! My eating was okay, not too bad but not perfect. Dinner was the worse, because I sure didn't feel like cooking and hubby, well....you know! So it was Burger King one night and Pizza the next. But I did stay in control. I jumped on the scale this morning and I did remain the same. So I'm happy 'bout that. Tonight I might take a bike ride with my daughter or go for a walk, just to get back in the swing of things. I'm still not feeling 100%, but I do feel better then laying in bed coughing up a lung. At least I can say I got in my ab workouts from coughing and blowing my nose! ;)
My weigh in day is Saturday morning so I still have a few days left!

Evening everyone! I had to work all day today and didn't have time for a trip to the gym. I'm bummed out because I feel like I'm already failing. I can't even make my second day to the gym :( But, I don't work as much tomorrow and will be able to make it there while they are open. I'm going to compensate for not making it by doing Pilates at home sometime tonight.

I am working in my sisters' restaurant right now to help her out and the temptation to eat fatty, greasy food is killing me! It doesn't help that her food is really good either! So I'm compromising by having her really excellant salads for lunch and half a regular serving meal for supper. But I really should pack a lunch to take with me I guess.

But no change for me today. I get my measurements taken at the gym tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if there is any change from the ones I took myself about a month ago.

Anyhow, hope everyone is doing well and is staying on track!

Wanda

Haven't done too well the last few days.thursday took the kids to Burger King for lunch, then for dinner a friend brought her 3 kids and asked if I wanted to come to mcDonalds for dinner with them :(
I only had a salad at McDonalds, but I DID have a few nuggets :o
then last night my 4 year old started throwing up, and didn't stop until 6am this morning. he still isn't well and keeps crying with tummy aches.... poor baby :( . If i got an hours sleep last night, I would have been lucky :coffee:
Will be back on track soon...... if I don't get sick.....

Hi everyone I am new to the forum. Actually I decided last week to enter my personal Christmas Challenge 2004 and was so happy to find this site. I visited other sites but they did not seem as friendly and supportive as this one. Just this week when I decided to start this diet my niece came to sleep at ou house since her parents were abroad. AAAHh suddenly the fridge and every cupbard were filled in with different assortments of sweets and chocolate. god i tried my best to avoid thetemptation and well guess i succeeded. wow it was tough i admit. thank god her parents are returning this afternoon and will deliver her back together with all the fancy things my mum bought her.
talking about my diet by Xmas 2004 I hope to reach my target weight of 52 kgs.
I currently weigh 58kgs. I think that roughly there are still 12 weeks to go to Christmas so well I hope I am not setting my targets too high. my downfall is wine aahh.

Hi all. yesterday I walked 3.91 miles, someone was waiting for the treadmill or I would have done 4, But I had already walked 62 min. so I went a head and got off for her. I felt awesome. :cb: I have been doing so good w/ my diet and pretty good w/ my exercising and I have not lost any weight or inches. :shrug: Any day now I should start shedding weight!!!
Welcome all newbes. Good luck everyone. :goodluck:
LIFE IS NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF
LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF!!!! :flow1:

Well finally some success. I think I really did good this week. I went to the gym on mon, tues, thurs, and friday. Whoa that is four days, in one week. I don't think i have ever done that. I usually would have quit by now. But i am glad to report that i have lose 3 pounds ( gone forever hopefully) My eating habits have improved slightly. I am going to the grocery store sometime next week and i will be able to pick up some healthier food choices. How is everyone else doing, great i hope.

Yeah, Miss McCoy!!! Of course those 3 lbs. are gone forever. Good for you. Any one else w/ some sucsess? I can't even tell if all this work and eating right has done any good...I don't have a scale. And the only clothes I have are warm-ups and my husbands t-shirts, so I can't necessarily go by how my clothes are fitting either. All I can say is it surely has to be doing me good. I just can't wait to see some results.
LIFE IS NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF
LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF!!!! :flow1:

Hi everyone!
Good for you for Miss McCoy!! As you know, I was sick ALL LAST WEEK! I did not workout at all. But I did maintain this morning, so I 'm happy I didn't gain. Full steam ahead for this week. My mini goal this week is to loose 2 pounds, at least, if not 3.
Don't worry Michelle, you will see results soon. Just keep plugin' along and you will soon see a difference! Of course eating right is doing you good, it's happening from the inside out, so keep that in mind! Do you have a measuring tape? That would help you so much.
Keep eating clean and working out and we will all have the weightloss pride by Christmas!

:stars:
I'd
like to
join in this
challenge too.
My Hallowe'en goal
is to loose 10 pounds.
That will put me at 245 lbs.
Realistically, I should be able to
loose another 10 pounds by Christmas.
So, my goal is to be at 235 pounds at Christmas
JOY

Thought I'd check in and give an update. I have 10.4 pounds to go to meet my Christmas Challenge. :yes:

Hi there that is great news. I wish i had your stamina and enthusiasm do keep it up. i actually have my tennis lesson this morning. i started last week it feels great except for the muscle pain after.

Good Morning Everyone
I'm one pound lighter this morning :angel: Yahoooooooo! Only 1-2 more pounds to reach my mini goal this week.
Great job squabb56, only 10.4 pound to reach your Christmas Goal??? That's AWESOME! You'll reach that or surpass it no problem.
How is everyone else doing? Only 11 weeks left (or so).

Fantastic Challenge! Weigh me in. I started Curves recently and am patiently awaiting the first measuring day. Believe it or not, I am looking forward to the 17th. I am 265.... would like to be 245 by then. Is that not realistic?

Hello all! Congrats on everyone's awesome work in the last week!!! I have had a fairly good go of it over the weekend. I ate healthy and went on walks with my sister and my fiance. Then today I went to my circuit gym and did 3 circuits!!! I'm paying for it now though, I'm really sore tonight!

I'm also down to 201lbs according to the scale at the gym! I am so thrilled. They also took my measurements and compared to the ones that i took a month ago I am down 2 inches on my hips and .75inches on my thighs. So all good news for me!

Wanda

Hi, I am new to this but willing to throw my hat in the ring for the christmas goal. I will try for 25. :waves:

I have had such a bad week. It started on friday when my 4 year old son started feeling unwell, then threwup everywhere. It continued all night, every half hour or so, with lots of crying and misery :(
He then continued all weekend, and even on monday, and when he wasn't throwing up he was screaming with stomach cramps. I took him to the doctor and they seemed to think it's only a virus.
Today is the first day he has been well, in fact it's only 11am and he hasn't stopped eating LOL
I, however woke up with a stuffy head, drippy nose, sore throat and feel like toast!!!!!!!!! I just want to crawl back into bed. Now if this had been a few days ago, I would have been able to, but now my son is full of beans

agggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

I hope I am not too late to join this challenge! I am new to this board and need a good challenge to keep me motivated and focused. I am at 230 right now and though I would like to be at like 198 or 199 (below 200) by christmas I am going to be realistic and set a goal of loosing 20 pounds.....which would put me at 205.

:stars:
I'd
like to
join in this
challenge too.
My Hallowe'en goal
is to loose 10 pounds.
That will put me at 245 lbs.
Realistically, I should be able to
loose another 10 pounds by Christmas.
So, my goal is to be at 235 pounds at Christmas
JOY


Another update after my WI tonight. I have 6.4 pounds to go to meet my Christmas Challenge.

I don't want to count my chickens :chicken: (or turkeys) before they hatch... but could it be.... I can't believe it :yikes: I may have to ammend my challenge to have more weight lost.... :rofl:

YAY Joy!!! Way to go!

I weighed today at the gym and I'm down to 199lbs!! I was so happy to break that 200 mark so quickly. The only problem is my digital scale at home still says 207lbs. I don't get it. I'm hoping it's broken, LOL!

This weekend will be one food challenge after another. It's Thanksgiving weekend here and I have not one but two turkey dinners planned! So I'll load up on the veggies and white turkey meat and only have a sliver of pie at one dinner. That's my action plan anyhow. I'll miss one workout day because of the holiday so I'll have to make it up next week sometime.

I'm actually enjoying going to the gym now that I am comfortable there. I understand how everything works and so far I haven't gotten too sore and stiff from it so that's a plus. I just wish I had somewhere to go swimming to. My hometown where I'm staying right now is too small to have a pool, the closest one is a half hour drive away. Too far with my work schedule.

Anyhow you girls have a great weekend and I'll check in on you when I'm back on Tuesday! Take care!

Wanda

Hi everyone!

I'd love to join this challenge - it's 11 weeks until Christmas - I think I can lose 20 pounds by then!

And then I have an additional goal date of Jan 30, when I leave for a weeklong cruise (16 weeks) - so I'm hoping for 30 pounds to get me under 200 LOL!

Haven't started exercising yet, that starts this week.

Thanks,
Julie

OK guys, time for the check in...how is everyone doing?

NOT so good for me, it's TOM for me, and I have gained 2 lbs since last time I weighed in. Hopefully this is just temporary!!

Checkin' in....

Good for you Wanda, sounds like you belong in what they call "Onderland"!
Most people suggest you stick to one scale for weighing in on .... I'd pick the gym scale if I were you :lol: Sounds like your current program is working well for you. I also enjoy swimming and working out in the pool. I'm pretty lucky to belong to a gym that has one..... Sound like a good plan you have worked out for Thanksgiving.

I will have a few challenges of my own this weekend. Hubby (also OP) is cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the whole famn damily (speaking fondly of and with love). We've decided to make our dinner: spinach salad, roast beef (inside round... put the prime rib back because this was leaner), mash potatoes made with chicken broth & garlic, cornbread, califlower, brussel spouts, mixed beans & carrots. Mom's bringing pumpkin pie, but we're also making Pumpkin Fluff (recipe from WW this week) with Lite Cool Whip. Hopefully we'll be able to come in within points.... and that's my plan...

Anybody want the Pumpkin Fluff recipe? Let me know..... It's real easy. Tastes good too.... :nose: I HAD to try out a batch before making it for dinner :lol3:

I guess I kinda got off course.... Oh well its practice for Christmas....

Staying OP and drinking my water but I am still struggling with getting my exercise in...

I only weigh at WW on Wed. so I'll check back in then.

Hey, Sam, how often do you weigh in? :goodscale Your two pounds is probably just a normal fluctation in water weight. Don't be discouraged..... You know :coach: YOU CAN DO IT :cheer:

;) Nice to meet you Julie and April28...

I have been doing so good as far as my cal. intake. Yesterday I finally bought a scale and my weight is just what I thought it was....155. After all this walking I haven't lost anything. I am not giving up. It has to be doing me good. I just wish I could see some improvment. Anyway, good luck to everyone.

Thanks, Joy!! I am re-inspired today because I noticed how loose my jeans were on me. They never were tight, but they are alot looser now than before. I am wondering if I went down a size, but am scared to go buy clothes because I am scared of being dissapointed....anyways, I am still doing good, today was good for me, and I am back on track.

G,day count me in I like these challenges to I,m 168 at the moment so 25 lost by chrissy would make me 143 sounds good to me fingers crossed , its spring now here downunder so its getting hotter hopefully with lots of yummy salads I,ll get there with each of us helping each other along the way we can all do this, bye for now BLESSED BE JULIE
SW 172
CW 168 ;)

GW 132 :cheer: :dunno: :goodluck:

Congrats to all who have lost and have stayed on plan...way to go! And for those who either have'nt lost or have gone off plan now and then....don't give up you'll loose it!

I have not weighed in yet as I usually weigh on Tuesdays so I don't know if I have lost anything yet but when I do weigh in I'll be sure to let you all know. I used to obsess too much over the scale so I had to limit myself to a once a week weigh in.

I'm always being told I should'nt eat at night.....and I try not to....but I work nights and that throws me off schedule. I sleep all day so when I get up at 4-5 its breakfast time....which makes 2amish lunchtime and 8amish dinner time. I only do 2- 3 overnights a week the rest of the time I am on a "normal" schedule. I feel bad when I eat at those times (well mainly just the 2amish one) but I am hungry then and so I usually give in. I have been taking healthier things to work to eat on my lunchbreak instead of getting the junk food out of the vending machines.

HI all,

I'm down 1.8 since last week, which is Very Good - so I have 18.2 until Christmas, and 28.2 until Cruise Day!

Michelle - keep it up - your body is probably just adjusting to the new exercise. You'll see a difference soon!

Samantha - facing TOM this week, too. Isn't it's frustrating for those 3-4 days??

Wanda - I agree with sticking to one scale. It gets too confusing otherwise. May as well pick the one you like the best! Luckily mine matches the one at the center I use.

Joy - you go girl! Looks like you'll be adjusting your goal.

Julie

Hi there. I would love to join this challenge. I am currently weighing in around 170 (I start Weight Watchers on Thursday, so I'll know the exact weight then). I'm 5'2", so I definitely don't look good at this weight. I have been yo-yo dieting for the past couple months. I tried Atkins, but I realized that, while I was losing weight, I couldn't stay on it forever (I need my bread and potatoes!). So, I decided to give Weight Watchers another shot. About 3 years ago, my cousin and I joined and we both lost. I still hadn't reached my goal weight, but I was down a significant amount. I had a few surgeries a short while after joining, so with all the drugs and stress going on with my body, I put back most of what I lost. I find that I need a buddy to do this with, so this seems like the place to be. I'm going to shoot small, since Christmas is only 9 and a half weeks away....and because I don't want to be disappointed if I can't reach a higher goal. So, my goal is just 10 pounds. I just want to be comfortable in my clothes (especially since we get dressed up for Christmas dinner). :) And, my boyfriend is taking me to Disneyworld (my first time!) two weeks after Christmas, so I'll have some major incentive to lose this weight! :D

Good luck Maimers! You have definitely came to the right place, and we all know you can do it!

Hello ladies!

So my turkey fest is over! After 2 dinners in 2 days I KNOW that I went overboard. I couldn't help but to. I only had one small plateful at each meal and loaded over half of it with veggies but I crashed and burned at the dessert table! Usually I'm not a dessert person but my Aunt had these yummy brownies and I couldn't resist. And of course pumpkin pie at both events. Then last night I gave in to a craving for McDonalds. So I'm sure that when I get back to the gym I'll be over my 200lb mark again, boo-hoo! But I know it is all in my hands to change. So I'll be going to the gym four times this week instead of three and trying to get in at least two walks in. It's supposed to snow here this week so I'm not to keen on being outside walking, I need to find a place to do it indoors. Oh well, it will figure itself out!

Welcome to all the new challenge members! We are working hard to motivate each other to success for Christmas! Get on track and let us know of your successes and of course trials!

As for the scale issue, I'm sticking with the one at the gym!

Wanda

Count me in too... I am a newbie to the group but this may be the motivation i need to get there.. 25 lbs will put me right on my goal weight...
cw: 155
gw: 130

Gday everyone hope your all well ,congrats to all the losses out there :cp: you all sound like your really committed to doing this I have,nt got much to report I,ve lost a lb but know I can do better went off rails a bit ;) but I,ll get there ,I just noticed theres another Julie here, I,m Julianne actually but I,ve always gotten Julie how about you, sorry I did,nt notice before I,m pretty out there for a red head , anyway it,s going to be a hot one here downunder today so I,m off to get my workout before it gets to warm and I get to lazy bye for now BLESSED BE JULIE


SW 172 :o
CW 168 ;)
GW 132 :bravo: :strong: :dance: :dance: :crossed:

hello Everyone! I hope that everyone is having a good week! Mine is going ok so far....I have gone to the gym both yesteday and today. I have not gotten out to do my normal walking through my neighborhood b/c of the stormy weather. I also have not used the exercise bike I have here at home despite plans to do so. If it were'nt for the fact that i have gone to the gym I would be upset with myself over lack of exercise! I weighed today and I've only lost a pound a half.....but I'll take it b/c its sure better than gaining that.

I've done pretty good with my eating....I did have one cookie the other night and a piece of a candybar today but for the most part I am doing good.

Hiya chicks!

I'm down a .6 so far this week (the program I'm on has 3 weekly weighins - much less time to cheat in!), so I'm down 2.4. The trend is going the right way so I'm happy.

Julianne, my first name is Julie, but my middle name is Ann - does this make us namesakes??

You guys are doing so much better than me on exercise. That's my goal for this week. What do you think about working out before WI? Does it affect the scale?

Hugs,

Julie
Christmas goal: 20
Cruise goal: 30
Lost So Far: 2.4

Hi everyone. Not really much to report. I've been on points all week (I started WW on Monday, but my first meeting's tonight...I had all the literature from the million times before that I was on it!). I haven't exercised as much as I would have liked. I have my meeting tonight, then I have to go shopping for my friend's birthday present. And my Curves closes at 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so it's always a little hard to get there. I know I'll definitely be going tomorrow, so tonight I might try to get in a late night walk.

Textjewel - congrats on the loss! what program are you on?

That's about it for now! :coffee:

G,day everyone hope your all feeling well and keeping on track ;) Julie thats a spinout that your middle name is Ann my mum was going to just call me Julie middle name Ann but my dad liked the name Julianne so thats what I got I don,t have a middle name, ;) nothing much to report I,ve lost a lb this week so I suppose thats something :D well just a short note for me today I,m off for a :coffee: and then a walk keep up the good work bye for now BLESSED BE JULIE

Oops I forgot gee I,m an airhead at times.
SW 172
CW 167
GW 132 FINGERS CROSSED BYE AGAIN JULIE

Hi all! Late night chick checking in! I'm up a couple pounds like I predicted after my Thanksgiving feasts. It sucks but I'm not sweating it! Well actually I am, LOL, at the gym!

So I went to the gym today, I wasn't feeling good so I only got in one and a half circuits. But better than I though I would get in so I'm taking it as a positive.

I've fallen really behind on my Fitday log. I haven't entered a thing since last week! I know I can't catch up now, I just have to start again. So that's my goal for tomorrow, that and going to the dr to see what's wrong with me. I've been dizzy and not steady on my feet plus other symptoms that lead me to believe that it's an ear infection of some sort. So hopefully I can get that sorted out.

That's it for me! I'm off to bed, take care all!

Wanda

Hi, I would like to join the Christmas challenge. I'm not sure how to go about it. Any help?? My weight is now 173 height is 5'3. I belong to curves and try to go 3 to 5 days a week. Doctors order also to loose some weight and walk a mile a day having trouble keeping the faith.Last year at this time I weighed 154 but go off the diets and pack on the pounds need some help!! Thanks Diet Help!!! :?:

:crossed: Good morning everyone hope your all well a bit overcast today here downunder looks like we might get some rain here in the country we really need it so :crossed: G,day Diet Help :) well your on the right track we,re all here to motivate and help each other , you,ve lost weight before only to put it back on and it brings friends boy I know that feeling well you know you can do it so instead of looking at it as another diet why not look at it as a life change for the better and instead of a diet opt for a complete turn around to healthy eating include more fruit and vege change to low fat sustitutes :D try to get some exercise in when you can even if its just a walk, I should talk I have,nt exercised in three days ;) no excuse just lazy :lol: well catch up with you later I,m off for :coffee: and I,m going to move my butt and get on the indoor bike seeing as it looks like rain can,t go for a walk bye for now BLESSED BE JULIE :grouphug:

SW 172 :p
CW 167 ;)
GW 132 :crossed:

OK my Halloween goal was 260, and I am at 258!!! I am encouraged, because if I made that one, I KNOW I can do this Christmas goal!!!

Hi chicks,

Stayed the same at my Friday WI, which is not bad for PRETOM.

Someone asked which program I was on - I started LA Weight Loss two weeks ago. I'm not sure I really like the program, but you have to pay for it all up front -- which makes you continue to go. (At least after two weeks, I'm still willing to go).

Good luck to all!

Julie

Hi all :wave:

I guess I forgot to check in on Wednesday night after weigh in. :goodscale I was down .2 (which I guess is better than a gain). I was on program all week so I'm hoping the rest will show up next week. :shrug:

I've had a few oopsies this week but we'll see how that plays out on Wednesday. :dunno:

After last weeks weigh in I made a personal commitment to myself to exercise every day for at least 20 minutes (minimum). :workout: So far I have kept up with this everyday, except Friday and the only excuse I can think of is that I was extremely tired, :yawn: but I know that if I go to the gym I will not be tired. Its just getting my but in the door.... :rollpin:

Looks like everyone is making good progress .... W T G :cheer:

G,day everyone you all seem to be well good on you Sam getting under your halloween goal and its not even here yet I,m sure we,ll all make agood showing for chrissie, good luck with your exercise Joy well not much to rport from me down half a lb better than nothing or a gain so I,m still in positive mode catch you all later bye for now BLESSED BE JULIE

How is everyone doing on their goals? For me, my goal was to go to the gym 5 days this week, and so far have done good because I have gone 3 days so far - right on plan!!! Maybe we should remind everyone of what their christmas goal is - mine is 240 lbs - 18 lbs to go!!

G,day everyone hope your all well :) way to go Sam good work keep it , good idea my goal for Chrissy 145 . 19 more to go, bye for now BLESSED BE JULIE

SW 172 :p
CW 164 :smug:
GW 132 :crossed: :tread: :goodscale

Hi everyone! Way to go on the weight losses that you guys have posted!!! Awesome work! Keep it up!

I've been on track this week with my workouts, can't say much for last week though, I was feeling yucky all week and only made it in once. I've got the Thanksgiving gain off already and am back down to 199lbs so that made my day today. Next Friday is my monthly weigh in at the Fitness centre. I'm anxious to see if there are any changes. I really think that I've lost inches this month, if not alot of weight. But I am building muscles at the gym so that would make it look like I'm not losing weight.

I've had some medical challenges this last week. My dr thinks that it may be diabetes, I find out on Friday. I'm pretty sure it isn't since I've been tested before but we'll see I guess. I really hope it isn't. I do know however that my cholestrol is out of control again. No big surprise for me but it will be a wake up call to my weight loss efforts. If the dr tries to put me on meds for it I'm going to refuse and ask for a nutritional consult instead. That way I will have help adapting my eating habits to a healthier way. I'm actually looking forward to the opportunity to talk with a nutritionist, I think it would be very interesting. And won't she be surprised when I hand her my food log from Fitday, LOL.

I've made a commitment this week to add one more day of exercise in. It's going in tomorrow so wish me luck in surviving it, LOL! Anyhow, I'm off, it's late again! Have a great week ladies.

Wanda

I wanna join! I am starting a little later than some of you, so 25 pounds might be a little too much...I'll set my goal for 20 pounds that's 190!

Melody

HI EVERYONE hope your all well its a beautiflu day here down under , Hi and welcome Melody you seem to be focused and on track hope some off it rubs off on me, not much to report today , I seem to be doing OK watching cals and getting in exercise I,m down another lb only 18 more to go for Christmas , goodluck with your tests Wanda I know it can be a bit scary I have type 2 diabetes at the moment I control it with my diet so not to bad, hope you enjoy your chat with the nutritionist , well thats it for me bye for now stay focused BLESSED BE JULIE

Hi all,

Finally dropped .6 at this AM WI - which gives me 3 pounds lost since I started the challenge - so another 17 to go for that, and then 27 for the cruise goal.

This was the longest time to lose .6 pounds! It's a good thing I'm supposed to WI 3 times a week, otherwise I'd have blown it for sure!

I think my goal this upcoming week is to start walking. and use the exercise tapes.

Good luck to everyone!

Julie

I was down 4.4 at WI at WW on Wednesday night. I was glad to see an improvement after last weeks .2.

:stars:
I
am
excited
and proud
to reset my
Christmas goal
to 2 2 5 pounds.
XX

My attempts to get at least 20 minutes exercise everyday has not been going too well. I think that starting Monday I will go to the gym at 5am.

I decided to make effort to get more protien in earlier in the day this week(breakfast and lunch), and so far have not had to much problem with that. I have rediscovered my love of cottage cheese. :love: I think this might help with my success. I seem to be less hungry.

Looks like most of us have 17, 18, 19 pounds to go. I hope that I will be able to keep up my pace and have the extra 10 off by HOHO time.

:bravo: everyone on your successes!

:grouphug:
:-J

I have read SOOO many places in here that if you eat protein in the morning, you are less hungry through the day? Is there any fact to that?

Hi Guys!!
Great to see everyone committed to this challenge, and meeting their goals.
I haven't been sticking to my plan :( I have had about a month of sick kids with vomitting, going from one kid to the other and then back again. My son (4) was the worst and had it THREE times, poor guy. He also had lots of stomach cramps so I have spent the longest time sitting around hugging him. He has also had disturbed sleep, and awake for hours during the night :coffee: My daughter has also missed alot of school, because when she was well, her brother wasn't, and as their dad was at work, I didn't wamnt to take a kid throwing up just to take the other to school, and other days he was still sleeping when school started.

I treally need to get back on track, and really commit to this. Thanks for the encouragement you have all given without even knowing. Just reading your posts is helping


HUGS and KISSES to you all!!!

Kathy

I'm a a little behind all of you but I'd like to join this challenge! I'd like to lose 20 lbs by Christmas. I feel that's doable. It's 1/2 of what I need to lose! So today I challenge myself to lose 20 lbs. by CHRISTMAS!

HI ladies!

Got some bad news at the dr on Friday :( not diabetes thank goodness, but high blood pressure. As well as high cholestrol (which I knew) and low vitamin B12 (which I suspected). So he put me on meds for the blood pressure and said that I would probably be on them for life :( not exactly my idea of a good thing. I'm only 26!!! I don't want to be on a pill for the rest of my life!!! My vitamin B12 I knew was low because I've been experiencing memory loss like how to spell, and how to pronounce words, stuff that used to come very easily to me. So he set me up with a dietician to help me lose weight and get my cholestrol, B12 and blood pressure under control. So I see her for the first time on Nov 4. I hope she helps.

So last night I did a report on my Fitday program to see how much B12 I've been getting in the foods I eat. (I love this program, it can do almost anything I want it to!) Anyhow, according to it, in the last two months I've got 302% of my RDA for B12!!! :?: Plus I was taking multivitamins and vitamin B12 supplements for a period of time. So the only conclusion I can come to is that I'm having an absorbtion problem. So after I see the dietician I'm going to go back to him and see about it. I may need to take shots for it, but anything to get myself back to normal.

Anyhow, other than all that I've been doing good with my workouts and my eating. I'm quite proud of myself. I think that the dr scared some sense into me and that it is helping to motivate me alot. I think I'm down to 197lbs but I'm waiting till Friday when I do my monthly weigh-in and measurements to see. This week I'm going to the gym every day for 30 mins. I want to start making it a daily habit so I'll see results faster.

So look for me to post on Friday, I hope it's all good news and that I can update my siggy line! Take care all, if you made it this far that is, LOL!!!

Have a healthy week!
Wanda

Hi all, I'm new to this site but have been trying to lose weight forever and am only going in the wrong direction. Today I am starting over and am doing calorie counting- 2 soft b-eggs-2 thin slices bread some coffee w/ milk and I am keeping a journal. I wonder if this will work finally. Love to work on the computer. Thanks all. Nonna

Hi all, I just joined because I want to participate but don't know where my post went. This is the first time I am writing to a forum but I really love a challenge. I hope to lose alot. I am going to do calorie counting and keeping a food journal. Thanks all.

:fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr:
Hi All :wave: Welcome Nonna & Sherybaby :o
I was down 2.4 on WI on Wed. :p I now have 9.4 pounds to go to Christmas goal.
:yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes:

I made it to the gym on Mon, Tues & Wed mornings for a good 1 - 1 1/2 hr work out. :workout: Thursdays I am too busy (Class) and Friday... I planned to go after work, but my car drove home instead. :rofl: Today I helped DD move and also took Rosco (her pug puppy) for about a 30 minute walk, so ok I guess.
:devil: :devil: :devil::devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil::devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil::devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil:
I sort of "fell out" of the extra protein this week. I will attempt to get back on the program next week. With going to the gym in the mornings I usually take a coffee for the road and have a bran bar or an oatmeal to go bar. Not much in the way of protein. Any suggestions for easy portable (eat while you are driving) protein for breakfast. :?:

H A P P Y
H A L L :) W E ' E N

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Hello everyone,

I have been sort of ashamed to come here and report. I am the person who started the challenge and i have lost weight and gained it back plus some. But i need to stop being ashamed. At first i was doing quite well. I went from 215 to 211. Great. But then i started to get stressed out about school and my personal life. I totally fell off of the bangwagon. I am back up to 216 pounds. This is getting very intense for me. I feel as if i am out of control. My schedule has become very hectic. Today was the first day that i made it to the gym in about 2-3 weeks. I want to do something about this before it's too late. Would someone please give me a few words of encouragement. It would be greatly appreciated.

Oh i am so sorry!!! Congratulations to all those people that have met their goal or those who are their way to meeting their goals. Good luck to all

e.mccoy - you are doing fine, you just fell off the "bandwagon" please don't give up. I know that you can do this, and you have been very inspirational to all of us.
Maybe it is time to sit down & reevaluate your goals. Maybe your original goal was set for too low. Whatever the problem is, you can't give up. If you give up, before you know it, you will go all the way up & pass your high weight. You don't want to do that, do you? So you fell off for a few weeks. Get back on. Once you start back OP, you will remember how good it feels, and will begin to lose again. Or, consider the other option: gaining all the weight back...which would you prefer? Of course I know the answer to that.
YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Hi I am new here and would love to join in the xmas challenge if that would be ok..i need alotof support..im like the lil engine that could :dizzy: i keep on going and going..and hoping one day i finally do it.so hopefully i think i did good by joining this forum..everyone seems to be so nice and supportive..
i wiegh 265 right now and my goal weight is 135 i wuold like to be 235 by xmas

Samantha,

I would like to say thank you so much for the encouraging words. I knew that all i would get from you guys were inspiration. But i felt so ashamed. But i'm not anymore. I will just have to roll with the punches. I have indeed gotten back on the bangwagon. This week i have gotten back into the swing of things. I worked out in the gym this morning as well as yesterday. My eating habits are improving. But i don't want to tackle too much at one time. But again thank you so much for the lift. I needed it. All of you guys are so amazing. You keep me going. Samantha, it looks as if you are doing great with the challange. You will probably pass your goal. YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!
:bravo:

Hi Girls!
Miss McCoy, you can certainly do it! I know exactly how you feel, I've been trying to do this for the last 3 yrs. w/no success. I've tried everything and for some reason I haven't gotten motivated. I'm now going to ww where I hope I can lose some wt and I'm hoping this forum will inspire me some! So far so good! Keep up your chin up and keep on going....I AM!

Lea, where is Hamilton Ohio? I'm in Solon. I'm about 20 min out of Cleveland. I know this site will be good for you too. There are so many good threads to go to here. I'm loving it!

Hi Sherry,

Hi Sherry,
hamilton is 20 min. from cincinnati...glad to see alot of ohio people here. i started yesterday by cutting back calories and in few days going to go adkins full force.I have never felt so miserable in all my life..i think i have finally gotten to the point to where it has to come off..
i want to check curves out to see what they offer and how much cost is. i have heard good thing s about them.has anyone else ?
well tiem to get kiddos off to school..by for now

thansk for the welcome sherry..
theresa lea

Hi! My name is Misty. I am new here. I would so very much like to join your challenge. My son was born on 8/23/04. I only gained 14 pounds with that pregnancy and by the time I left the hospital I was only 5 lbs. above my preg. weight. Two weeks later I was 6 lbs. under.

I thought to my self "I have had two babies in less that two years (DD was born in April 03). Not many women can do that and come out 5 lbs. less than before the pregnancies. I should take this opportunity my body is giving me and keep going with it."

So when my son was two weeks old I decided to challenge myself to lose 25 lbs. by Christmas. (I was very excited when I found this thread, it's nice to share a challenge with others.)So far I have lost 14 lbs. in 8 weeks. I am breastfeeding and following WW for nursing moms. I can't afford the meetings, nor do I have time for them with two kiddos, so I am doing the points on my own with the information I had from before. I have also read "The Ultimate Weight Solution" twice and I am trying to apply the 7 keys to my life. I however really like the points system much beter than the divide your plate in quarters method used in the book. I am also trying to start exercising more. I bought a tredmill right before I found out I was preg. again. It collected dust for 9 months and now I've dusted it off and am putting it to use.

It's very nice to meet you all. I am very excited to meet this challenge! :)

210/135

Welcome Misty! You found the right place! Everyone here is really nice and very motivating! If you can't find a support thread her then something is wrong! :lol: Good luck!

Thank you so much for the warm welcome, Sherry.

Thresea (I hope I spelled that right) I joined curves about 2 years ago and LOVED it. It was fun, you only do a half an hour (3 times around the circut), you do everything at a pace that is comfortable for you, there is no adjusting machines unlike other gyms you just get on and do your thing. They play upbeat, fun music, you are at each station about 30-40 seconds so you don't feel like you are trudging through 6 reps of something. I only stopped going b/c I was an itinerant speech therapist for preschool kids and I traveled about 100 miles a day seeing kids in thier homes and schools. When I joined Curves I was able to go on my lunch, but when the scheduled changed and I picked up some kids about an hour away I couldn't do it anymore. My curves was closed for thier dinner break when I finally finished my day and I did not want to wait around doing nothing for 2 hours until they opened back up. My sister who lived in a bigger city said her curves was open all day, the one in our area closed for an hour at lunch and two hours at dinner. I live WAY out in the sticks so I have quite a drive to get home from the Curves buliding anyway. It was about $30 a month after a initial joining fee. But I really enjoyed it, it was fun, easy and motivating. I saw results within a couple weeks. Hope this helps :)

What day do we post our losses for the week?

Hi Misty !,
and welcome..thank you for the information it was great!..we have a curves on every corner around here lol..i weighed my self this morning..i was 258 lbs i lost yeaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!down from 265 weeeeeee ..And tell the truth i have no idea howwwwwwwww jezzy..hehe
my name is spelled THERESA but that is n biggie it has been spelled every way possible hehe..ok yall i have to get kiddos upi and ready for school..
nice to have met you misty!

Theresa, WAY TO GO!!!!!! 7lbs? That's awesome!!!!

I'm up just a tiny bit like 1/2 a lb. But I don't "officially" weigh myself until Monday.

Things are changing alot for me right now. My son is 10 weeks and weighs 13 lbs. I can't keep up with him when he's nursing...he's always hungry and just cries when I try nursing only. So I am supplementing with formula, and expressing milk. I try to aim for every four hours with the pumping, but between the two kids I find that more time lapses than I should allow. This begins a vicious cycle b/c that droppd my production, which was never very high even when I nursed DD. When my production drops I supplement more, which drops my milk supply even more. By not pumping or nursing enough I am not burning the calories producing milk so I am eating more "points" than I need, but I'm not sure how many I should be having b/c if I go down to the non-nursing number its way too low and my milk will drop even more. UGHHHHH!

It's all so very frutrating. Though I wouldn't trade him for anything DS wasn't planned. DD was only 16 months when he was born. I had no desire what so ever to nurse, I had been so happy when I stopped with DD. I totally understand the health bennefits, but I had problems with clogged ducts with DD and I did not want to deal with it. I had DD climbing all over me and a newborn stuck to me, I was very overwhelmed. I just wanted some space. Plus when I express milk I have to spend 20 min. sitting there pumping, trying to keep my 18 month old from tearing the pump apart, then I have to prepare the bottle and sit down and feed DS. It's like having to feed him twice.

DH is really adiment that I nurse. Not just for the health bennefits but b/c of the cost savings. But Walmart has a brand of formula that is just as good as Simalac with DHA and ARA that costs ALOT less. So if you figure that it costs .07 per oz of formula and my son drinks a maximum of 30 oz per day that's only 2.12 a day, or $63 a month. So if you consider that I am able to pump about half of that I am only savings us about $31.50 a month right now. I am not breastfeeding exclusivley so the savings is not the full amount. He says that's my tradeoff for staying home. I have to nurse to save the money since I'm not working anymore. He blames my low production on me, saying I don't drink enough water (I drink at least 60-80 oz a day and usually I drink closer to 120 or more), or that I don't eat enough, or drink enough milk, or eat enough protein. He, for some reason, won't except that maybe I just don't produce well. But he grew up on a dairy farm, which we live next door to, and he thinks in terms of cows. He even calculated my due date with both kids from the SirePower gestation WHeel that comes with the seman for artificial insemination (sp?) for the cows. I guess people gestate for a similar amount of time.

Frankly, I think that even though breastfeeding is best, what will be best for my family in the long run is a Mom/Wife who is healthy, active, and happy... a mom who feels good about herself, who can set a good example for her children about how to eat healthy and have a good relationship with food. Right now I am so overwhelmed and frustrated and stressed out I am no fun to be around. I yell at my DD, and that's not fair she's just a baby. I am a total you know what to my husband. I get frutrated with my DS b/c he's always hungry and I can't keep up with him. I don't have time to get it all done. I sometimes have to pump two to three times to feed him once. The pumping takes away time from both kids. Then when I want to go out and about I have to drag two kids, a diaper bag, AND my pump's bag which is the size of a back pack, plus ice to keep milk cool, and formula b/c I don't pump enough. It's insane. :dizzy:

I love my husband, he's a super guy, but you add that in addition to getting all this stuff ready and out the door I am trying to get him ready and out the door. I get three people and all our stuff ready in the time it takes him to get ready plus I usually have to get his clothes for him or find his hat for him b/c he can't remember where he laid them down.

I don't want to pass all my food hang ups onto my kids. I am at a breaking point here. So really things would be so much better if I could just give my son formula, and go to eating the points for non nursing people and concentrate on myself for once. I need to lose this weight. It's hard enough to lose weight when that's all you have to do. But when everything you put in your mouth effects how much food someone else gets it just way too overwhelming.

Sorry for venting, but I am really going crazy here. There are times when I just scream or I just sob. I think I'm having a nerveous breakdown. Every little thing sets me off. I feel termedous guilt for giving my son formula, I feel terrible that he spends alot of time in his carseat or swing just so I can have my hands free to help my daughter, I feel like a crappy mother b/c I litterally scream at her. Maybe it's postpartum depression. DH says it's not, but what does he know?

But you know in the time since I had my daughter I was not with her for: five hours for a x-mas party, an hour to go to the dentist, a 90 min. motorcycle ride with my husband, and once or twice I ran to the store for about 30 min. There were times when DH took her out to the barn, but then I was left alone in the house, so it's not like I got to go have fun, usually I did the house work I wasn't able to do while she was in the hosue. So total in 16 months I was on my own out of the house for 10 hours maybe, five of which was at Dh's company x-mas party.

Then I was away from her for one day while I had my son. Since he's been born I haven't been away from him at all. I did get 8 hours away without DD, do you know where I was? I went to my parents' house and babysat my 4 special needs adopted siblings taking DS with me so I had 5 kids total.

No wonder I'm going insane lol. I live an hour away from anyone in my family, 2 hours from my only friend, across the street from my inlaws. The only adult conversation I have is my husband who pretty much only talks to DD. I haven't spent anytime alone with my husband in almost a year excpet for while I was in labor. Every night Dh comes home at 6 or 7, eats dinner, and "Goes across the road to see what's going on" comes home around 9 plays with DD until 10ish at which point in time I demand she goes to bed. Then we all go to sleep.

I'm sorry that this is so long. But I am at my wits end and I just need to be heard by somebody. Even if no one reads this at least its out there.

Thanks:) ~Misty

Misty-

I am so sorry you are feeling this bad.... I understand totally. It is hard and you need to understand that you are aloud to feel this way. You should not feel guilt. It is all legit.

1) You need to get out. PERIOD. You need some me time. If you cant swing that then see if you can get your inlaws to watch the kids for a couple of hours at their house and come back home and do girl things! NO HOUSECLEANING!. Maybe do a facial. I have lots of ideas on facials you can do at home. If you need them let me know. Put on soothing music, paint your toenails, and relax. I am telling you this - if you dont start taking care of yourself a little you will have problems in the long run. I know this from experience. A couple hours everyweek. That is not alot to ask. You husband comes home from work. When exactly do you get off of work?

2) I understand the breastfeeding thing totally. When I had my son I was producing soo much milk that I couldnt ever get it to stop. I was in pain all the time. I have apparently triple the amount of milk glands as the average woman. Then I was getting so stressed that my milk wouldnt drop when he was around and ready to be fed but any other time it was like a river. I always had stripes down the front of my shirt where I had leaked. Your husband needs to understand that you are not a cow... you are his wife. He needs to understand your frustration, your fear, your guilt. I ended up having to feed my son formula so that I could get my milk to dry up. My Doctor was the one that said to do this. That the stress and pain I was going thru was only going to make my child fretful because they feel their mothers emotions and emulate them. I felt like I was a failure. I mean I was supposed to nourish this poor child and I just couldnt. Then I realized that I could nourish him in other ways. For instance I could hold him and rock him while I fed him his bottle and we could both be at peace instead of stressed.

3) Your husband needs to help some in the evening instead of going to his parents every night. I mean he could go a couple of times a week. I am not saying not spend time with his parents just he needs to spend time with you. And when he goes over there why doesnt he take the kids with him. Grandparents normally love to see their grand kids. This would give you some quiet time.

4) You need to sit down with your husband and clearly express how you are feeling. Without arguing or fighting. Men dont normally understand us. It is that simple. You may think you are saying all of this to him and maybe you are. But the way you are saying it he is not following. You said he is a great guy. He wouldnt want you to be in pain this way. He wouldnt want you suffering this way. He just isnt following. His light bulb hasnt come on yet. I know with my husband he doesnt always understand and there for doesnt know how to fix it. And my husband he is a fixer. And if he cant fix it then he gets frustrated and it comes out like he doesnt care and that truly isnt the case. He also thinks that I am thinking it is all his fault even when I am not even thinking this at all. So sit down with him. Make notes of things you want to say because I know when I am doing this I forget things. Maybe print this out and let him read your post and this post. Maybe it would be a chance for some open dialogue.

5) And finally. Not only do you need me time. You need one on one time with your husband. You need to remember why you started dating each other. Why you fell in love. You need to feel special just as he needs to feel special. Create a date night either 1 a week or every 2 weeks where it is just you and him. Send the kids to the grand parents if you cant afford a babysitter. Stay home with each other if you cant afford to go out. Have a candle light dinner, take a bath together, neck on the couch, whatever. Try to remember that special bond you guys had. I am telling you this is crucial because if you dont do this now you are going to wake up 5 years from now with a perfect stranger and not know how you got there.

If there is some resistance from the grand parents ask hubby if he can talk to them. Or if you can talk to your mother in law and maybe explain that you are feeling overwhelmed. And that you dont want to loose that special thing you had for her son. Maybe that would help.

I hope all this helps you. Post partum is a ***** but if you sit down with you hubby and tell him how you truly feel by doing all of this you will come out of it faster. You will bond more with him and the kids and you guys will have a better life. Trust me on this.

Good Luck!

Misty - I am so sorry to hear about your frustrations. I personally have never been there, but the advice that Angel gave sounded very helpful.

I have not been doing well, ladies. I think I have lost my motivation. I have not gone to the gym in over a week, and my eating has not been good. GRRR...I am trying to figure out what it was that got me motivated to begin with, thinking maybe that's what will motivate me again.

BUT I will continue to post, because I know that once I lose touch with this website, I will completely give up.

:) Sam

Angel-THANK YOU! Just having someone listen to me makes me feel so much less stressed. I appreciate your advice. Knowing I'm not the only one out there with issues and that I shouldn't feel guilty for needing time to myself makes me feel so much better. You are right I do nee dto sit down and tell my husband how I feel. He often takes DD with him but I usually keep my son. My inlaws adore the kids and probably would be happy to have them once in awhile.

I understand why DH helps his Dad on the farm, we live in a house they own for about $400 a month. We pay no utilites and no taxes. We volunteer the $400 they don't ask for it. Granted the house would sit empty other wise and it's on the same utility lines as the barn so they'd have to pay just as much otherwise. And frankly the house is in pretty bad shape, if someone chose to fix it they'd be better off ripping it down and starting over. Just another stress point on my marriage, since we don't own it I don't want to fix it and living here was supposed to be temp. We spent the first year with no heat upstairs in our bedrrom, in northern PA that's not pleasant :) Good thing we were newlyweds lol.

But you are completley right. We do need time to be a couple. I need time to take care of myself. I am doing nobody any good by being a basket case and a martyr. We'd all be happier if I felt I had a grip on things. Like the old saying goes "If Mama ain't , ain't nobody happy". Any self pampering ideas you have would be very helpful.

We did spend the day away from home shopping and stuff just the four of us. It was a two hour car ride both ways so I got to talk to DH alot, which was so very nice.

Thank you agian for being here I appreciate it.

hi everybody
im a newbie here and would love to join you in your challenge for christmas. another 15-20 lbs before christmas would be wonderful!!i only need at least 9 lbs before i reach my first 20lbs.im at 205 lbs at present.could it be possible, better get on that tread machine!will keep ya up to date! good luck to all!mandy

First of all, I know that you can do this. Look at you, You've lost 22 pounds in two months. Lots of people wish they were 22 pounds lighter (like myself) That is a step in the right direction. I have been struggling to lose 86 pounds for years, and i have never made it past 8 or so pounds. And even then I gain it back. So i think you have an advantage. Just keep going. I know you can do it. :grouphug: Here is a hug to show you my support, and belief in you. I am even down 2 pounds this week. It ain't much but it's something. So sam please keep your head up. And report back i would reallt like to know how things are going.Tomarrow is a new day, take advantage of it!

:strong: :tread: :goodscale :strong: :tread: :goodscale :strong: :tread: :goodscale :strong: :tread: :goodscale

Samanth2002- You must have posted your post as I was writing mine last night, b/c somehow I missed reading it. Sorry. Miss McCoy is right! You have done so very well. Sometimes we may lose a battle but we will not lose the war. Dr. Phil says in his book something to effect of one meal at a time one day at a time. You didn't gain all of your weight overnight, it will take time to lose it as well. Don't beat yourself up over what you have done recently, enjoy what you have accomplished and take each moment one small step at a time. The only time we can have an effect on is the present. Being here, reaching out asking for support...that's a huge step in the right direction. I too would like to you keep in touch, we will ralley around you and help in any way we can.

Miss McCoy-don't scoff at 2 pounds, that is such a great accomplishment!!! I think that is wonderful and congratualtions!

Daisy, welcome!! It sounds like you are already moving in the right direction.

Well have a good day ladies

:stars:
I haveonly sixmore poundsto go before I amat my Christmas goal Y E S

Just checking in. I've been staying OP, and exercising fairly regularly... could be more. Water is good (except weekends sometimes) and I have been journalling most everyday. I have been having some success and hope to reset my Christmas goal (once more) soon. ;)

:high:Welcome to the newbies, Theresa, Misty, Sherry, Mandy. :cheers:

Sam, remember each choice, meal, day is a new opportunity for renewal. I've been there... don't give up and don't stop trying to take care of yourself. You are worth it! :goodvibes:

Misty - Please communicate your needs with your hubby, I think you under estimate your own value to your family. You need you to be happy, take what you need to get there. If you can't say it, write it down or like angel 26519 said, print the post. If you see your doctor soon, you may want to discuss your feelings with him/her. Please feel free to "talk" about your feelings with us. Sometimes when your in the dumps its difficult to see some positive options, perhaps we can help. I hope I don't overstep - but I really think that you need to love you to feel loved and pass that love on to your hubby and children - alas, the circle of life. I may just start singing... and you wouldn't want to hear that :lol3:

E.McCoy
Welcome back to the bandwagon. WTG Good for you loosing 2 pounds. :cp: I'm proud of you for making your back.


I'll check back on Thursday, until then be good.... or be careful .... whatever it takes. WE CAN DO THIS.

:grouphug:

Thank you so much for all the positive support. Your kind words and ideas have helped me see past the fog of the day to day ins and outs of life. I can see that there are things I can do, and it is ok fo rme to stand up and take some time for me. DH and I left the kiddos with My mother in 12law and went to the grocery store. It wasn't a big deal, but it was so nice to just be alone together even for an hour at the market.

I had a 1/2 pound gain this week. But really it doesn't bug me. I know that I did everything I was supposed to do. I stayed within my points, and I exerscised 6 days four of which were for over an hour total. So you'll have gains once in a while. It's the first time I've gained since I started trying to lose. And really it's only a half a pound. So I am down 13.5 Lbs. Not too bad. I am at the weight I was when I was a senior in college 5 years ago. I still feel my goal is attainable. I only have 11.5 pounds to go and 6 weeks to do it in. That seems reasonable.

Squabb56 sounds like you are really moving towards your goal. That is so awesome!! With only 6 pounds to go you'll be there before you know it!!!

Well have a super day, all! DD is poking me in the eye and gleefully cheering "EYEEEE, EYEEEE!" One can only take that for so long. I'll have to finish reading later :)

Hi ladies! I'm proud to announce that I am a loser!!! I had my one month weigh in today ( a few days late) and so far I've lost:

7lbs :goodscale
6.25 inches
.8% body fat
1.3 Bmi

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

I'm so happy I'm floating!!! This means I only have 9lbs to go to meet my Christmas goal and 54lbs to my final goal!!!

For whoever was asking about Curves I give them a thumbs up! I'm a member of Pace Fitness which is virtually the same as Curves and I LOVE it! 30mins and a total body workout, and with the results that I already have, it's a sure bet!

Way to go to all the other weight loss champions in our group! You guys are making it easier for me to reach my goals. Everyone that needs some encouragment: YOU CAN DO IT!!! I'm living proof, I never thought I would get myself to 194lbs so quickly! And there is no way it's coming back, it's gone for good!!! Take it one day at a time and when you slip up just pick up and continue. One day at a time!

Anyhow, I've gotta run, keep up the good work girls, I can't wait to hear all about it!

Wanda

Hey guys. I hope its not to late to jump on the goal wagon. This is such an exciting time!

cheers
phoenix

Way to Go Scrappin!

Way to go everyone on their losses! We are about 6 1/2 weeks away from Christmas - has anyone started shopping?
That means I have 6 1/2 weeks to lose 15 pounds. That's about 2 pounds a week. I think I can do it.
I didn't think that I would lose weight because I hadn't gone to the gym in over a week, but I hopped on the scale a few minutes ago & am down another 3 pounds. That puts me at 255. Hurray!

WAY TO GO WANDA!!!!!!!!!!! That is so awesome.

Welcome Pheonix!! I just joined in last week and these ladies are so supportive. It seems you've come a long way in the past 7 years!

Samantha-You Go Girl, 3 pounds is so great!!!!!!! Your goal
is within your reach.

Have a good day ladies:)

I seem to be having problems with the website, is anyone else experiencing this?

undefinedundefined
hello to all the wonderful ladies here! :wave:
well i lost the 7 lbs and the terrible moonthly :devil: monster came and so help me
i gained it back :shrug: ..so today i start anew :dizzy: i have been really depressed i have tried everyway to come outof it..i watched the swan on tv ..does anyone else watch that?
i want to go on there so bad :( ..guess the easy way out ..huh..i know ..we all can do this ...but this has just been a bad week ..everytime i seem to get all up for this and tell myself i will do it this time somethign seems to go wrong..
okokokok im not going to bring you all down im sorry..

so what has everyone been doing ..i see alot of you have really came down congrats to all of you who have lost and congrats to all who have stayed here and stuck with it...this is a wonderful place if i could sit here 24-7 i could do it :lol: i get really inspired when i come in and read.. :jig: ok yall i must get the kiddos up and ready for school...i will probally be back since i am starting again today to get the courage again..so see you all later

love to all

theresa

Hi everyone :wave: Checkin in...

Well, weigh in was last night and :censored: I stayed the same. :mad: I really wanted to get my 10% last night.... but hubby got his instead..:o But I have to remember that I've been down every week for the last seven... hopefully next week things will get moving along -- I haven't been off program at all (except for maybe a piece of birthday carrot cake on Tuesday- but I used flex points for that) I have been exercising at least four days a week, I've been drinking my water and journalling ..... so I should see some loss catch up to me next week.

Wanda - Where else can you celebrate being a loser? :lol3: I don't know how you do it --- waiting over a month to wiegh in. I really have to work on not weighing myself daily and only doing it once a week at weight watchers
Sam - :bravo: 3 pounds off (forever) is great :cheer: I love :love: your new avatar, it is so much more positive.

Phoenix walker - welcome aboard! Good luck with your goals :goodluck:

Theresa- Don't fret about the gain. You can't help what happens during that whole monthly scene. Just keep doing your best to stay on track and in the end you will be reach your goals. I watched the swan too. I thought it would be cool to be on it.

Then I thought about how horribly painfull the surgery is :( and the diet and exercise are so extreme. What I thought was interesting was when the girl from the first swan was on Dr. Phil. She was woried about reverting back to her old self b/c she hadn't changed that much on the inside. He had her before picture enhanced to show that she was very pretty to begin with and that with the makeup and lighting they use in photoshoots she could have looked as good before the surgery. Here's what he said: http://www.drphil.com/show/show.jhtml?contentId=3001_jealousmakeover.xml

I like the quote from Cindy Crawford in Dr. Phil's Book "Even I don't wake up looking like CIndy Crawford." On those shows it's all about lighting and makeup. They take bad pictures of the people on purpose for the "before" shot so the reveal is more dramtic. What is really sad is on parenting magazines I have seen where they obviously airbrush the babies who model on the cover. :?: That makes no sense to me. I can see why they may airbrush a model who's selling something, they want you to buy the item so you will feel you will look like that. Granted it sends out messages to us that we should try to live up to an impossible standrad, but I see how it sells stuff. But babies? What could you possibly need to "fix up" on a baby?

Joy-Congrats to your hubby on his 10% I am sure yours is coming soon. You've worked hard and you are right it will catch up with you soon.

Hey ladies you may be seeing alot more of me soon because I have to have my gallbladder taken out tommorrow. I will have to take 2-3 weeks off of work. Please keep me in your thoughts & prayers.
Thanks.

Sam

Sam goodluck and you will be in our prayers..take it easy and get some rest..thanks Misty you are so good at lifting up spirits..I am tryin to stay on track as best as possible..cant write much to do running late so i will end here loveto all..

theresa

Samantha- Best of Luck! You are most definatley in my prayers. My sister had her gallbladder out recently, she is 25. Just three weeks after the surgery she drove here to PA (we live just south of NY and all our family is in NY) from NC to help me take care of my DS who was about to be born then. Sh ewas amazed how quickly she healed and how much better she felt. I hope you enjoy the same speedy recovery.

Theresa- You are doing great. No need to thank you me, you have been so very supportive. You are doing so well and I know you will succeed.

Thanks for the welcome! I had a hard time finding this thread again. I knew I had joined a challlenge...but I couldnt figure out where..lol
Ok so my weigh in day is today, and I lost ...9 LBS THIS WEEK! I am in shock...in complete shock! Off to a good start. I want to in the 160's by xmas. That would be great! I havent been in the 160s since I was a teen.. I look forward to talking to you all more. I use a mix of DR.Phil and WW. and yes I have come quite the ways from being 300lbs, but I still have a little more to go. :dizzy:
cheers
Phoenix

Hi ladies! I've been away all this week, I've been keeping busy! Unfortunatly I haven't been keeping busy at the gym!!! I've only made it in once this week but I'm going in tomorrow morning come he$$ or high water!!! I'm so disgusted with myself! I get such great news and great results and I guess this weeks just been a party since then! But I don't think I've gained, so that should be good. I've also kept my eating under control too!

Thanks Joy! I LOVE being a loser in this area of my life and brag to everyone I know, LOL! As for the weigh in thing, it's only at the gym where I have my monthly weigh in. I'm always weighing myself at home but it is alot different from the gym so I can't rely on it. I love the anticipation of finding out what I've lost in the month, it's like a mini reward, kwim?

Good luck in your surgery Sam, we'll be rooting for you to have a quick recovery!

WAY TO GO PHOENIX!!! That kind of weight loss is HUGE!

Anyhow, I"m outta here, good luck to all you ladies for this weekend! Take care!

Wanda

Awesome job, Pheonix!!!! That is so great!

I too am mixing Dr. Phil and WW, plus a bit of other stuff I've picked up along the way. I don't attend meetings though, I just use the info I have.

Wanda, I'm sure this week won't effect your weigh in. We all need some space once in a while. It sounds like you are all geared up to get back on track with your workouts. I'm sure you will do great!

Well DD decided to wake early this fine Saturday and DH is taking a flying lesson (he may get to do is solo flight soon, maybe even today!!!), so I better go get DD up and fix her eggs. She'd eat scrambled eggs everday every meal if I let her :) I have limited it to weekends and only breakfast ;) Have a good one, all.

Thanks to all my christmas challenge chicks that have supported me these last few weeks when I just wanted to give up. I felt as if I had lost the battle with weightloss. The battle that I have been struggling with all of my life. But because of you all and your wonderful support, I have managed to get back with the program and lose 3 more pounds this week. If I didn't have you guys I would have given up. Now I find myself going to the gym everyday almost. I actually enjoy exercising. But I am a little bit behind on my goal for christmas, so I altered it a little bit. I changed my goal weight to 200 pounds by christmas. It just makes me feel a little more comfortable. Well thanks for letting me vent. So how is everyone else doing?

Good Luck To All
:tread: :goodscale :strong: :goodluck:

Hello ladies. Welcome to another wonderful week of weightloss!!

I am down 3.5 pounds this week. I have 8 more pounds to go to reach my Chirstmas goal of 25 pounds lost. Once I make it I will be UNDER 200!!!!!! Notice I didn't say "if" I make it, I am employing "right thinking" :D I feel very confidant that I can reach this goal. It feels good to be succeeding.

Miss. McCoy-You are doing great!!! 3 pounds is excellent. With all the hardwork you are doing you are sure to reach your new goal. I am still struggling to "enjoy" the exerscise so if you have any tips on how to do it please pass them on. I keep telling myself everyminute of that treadmill is making me stronger, leaner and healthier, more of that "right thinking". Keep up the good work!!!!! You are doing so very well.

Have a nice day all!!! Thanks for all your support. If you notice I post alot it's b/c I come here instead of eating when I feel a bit like snacking. I stay home with my babies and by the time nap time hits I am ready to munch while I relax, instead I have been coming here.

Mistyseptember,

That is an excellent idea to go to 3fc when you are tempted to eat. I should try that sometimes. As far as the exercise goes, there is no easy solution. But I was starting to get bored with the treadmill. So now I have added strength training exercises to my routine. I think that has helped tremendously in my weight loss, because you are building muscle and those muscles help to speed up your matobalism.

That is also excellent that you are using your seven keys. That's the way to do it.

Hello all! How is it going? I am doing very well today. I need to exercise yet today but I'll get there. I am waiting for something good to come on tv :lol: so it can distract me while I treadmill. Plus this is my time to breathe while the kids nap. Well have a nice day!

~Misty

I am new to this board (and site). I would love to join in on the Christmas Challenge. I am at 219 today and wish to lose 12 pounds by Christmas to bring me to a weight of 207.

I jumped on the bandwagon again about a half a week ago, so I am still in the transition stage. I am getting use to eating less, making healthier food choices and exercising. I have been doing very well though! It is amazing me how well I have been doing and following the seven keys. I am thinking more positively and pushing the negative thoughts out.

I hope to get to know you all and support everyone!

Kelly

HI- We're taking a Christmas trip in just one month and I have an ambitious goal to lose 15 before I step on the plane. I know it's alot but I haven't been watching what I eat or exercising on a regular basis so I am hopeful some extra will come off in the first 2 weeks. With the holidays, and with my mother coming to stay with us for 2 weeks, it's going to be very tough.

But I am so grateful to have this forum and believe it will help keep me motivated!

L.
Starting weight 225
Current weight 225
Goal Weight 150

Welcome ladies!

Skinny that is a very ambitious goal. But it does sound like you are working hard to reach it.

Kelly-It's good to see you here!

I have alot of company coming this weekend. My best friend, her husband and thier daughter will be coming to spend the day. I am making a huge dinner, I found some recipes online that sounded way too good not to try. But I will be modifying them to include more healthful ingredients and I plan on watching my portions. I am also eating a bit less now, to "save" points for then. Probably not the most healthy way to do it though. All I ate all day yesterday was 2 oz of lean turkey breast on whole wheat bread with mustard, 1/4 cup of chicken noodle soup and 6 crackers. I really hadn't meant to eat so little, I just got busy cleaning.

Then later in the afternoon on Saturday I am having a couple friends come over with thier kids to decorate turkey shaped sugar cookies and play with my kids. My best friends' daughter doesn't get to play with many other kids her age b/c she goes to a baby sitter and she's the only kid there. My daughter is in the same boat b/c she stays home with me. So we thought we'd get together with some kids and let them have a playdate. So we will have 2 18 month olds, a 21 month old, a 10 month old, a 3 month old and a 8 year old.

I am very proud of myself though. I made two huge batches of sugar cookies and didn't eat a one. I almost did, but I thought, "I don't really like sugar cookies, but I will like what we are having for dinner Saturday. So why waste points on something I don't like when I can save them for something much more enjoyable?"

How is everyone preparing to make it through the holiday next week while still maintaining thier goal? I don't feel like I have to white knuckle my way through Thanksgiving. First of all we're eating with my husband's family. I hate eating in front of people so I won't eat much. Plus I'm not a big turkey and all the fixins' kind of person. I always said when it comes a time that I have to prepare a holiday meal it will be a meal of things I actually like, I'm not big on tradiations in that way. I like the getting together with family (like I said in the Chapter Two revisited thread: there will be four generations at this dinner; we are the kids so we sit at the kid's table with our kids, soon we need a kid's kid's table). But the food I can take or leave.

Well ladies, I'm off to do some more cleaning and cooking. Have a great day!~Misty

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone is doing great and staying positive. Today I have been really good so far. Just finished exercising for 30 minutes (toning today). I am hoping over the next couple of weeks that 30 minutes will turn into 45 minutes.
I make it a habit to drink 2 liters of water a day, right now I am about 3/4 of the way there. I will need to start drinking some more soon so I am not running to the bathroom in the middle of the night :lol: Breakfast I did good and about to go and have some lunch. I need to think ahead on what I want to have for dinner. I have a nail appointment which lasts 1.5 hours so hubby will be starting dinner. Fridays and weekends are always rough as far as eating because we are use to the convienent foods. I need to change that habit and realize it is not helping me one bit.

Hope all is well for all of you!

Kelly

Misty~ that is really good that you made all those sugar cookies and did not eat one! That shows you are now in control :)

You asked how everyone is going to prepare to stay on goal with the Holiday next week. I was thinking the same thing myself. Thanksgiving is at my house this year, so I will be preparing all the food. I am hoping to have a "little bit" of everything. I fear that we will have left over pie and desserts, so hopefully my mother and father in law (who will be visiting with us for 4 days) will jump right in and help decrease that temptation. I plan to increase my exercise next week to maybe counteract the holiday.
Problem is the next two months are going to be a real test for me. Thursday is Thanksgiving. Friday we are having my daughters first birthday party (cake and ice cream). December 6th is another birthday party (cake and ice cream), then my birthday is December 17th and then Christmas dinner. So five big events are soon coming up for me. I am trying to not think as I have in the past; that food is a big part of it.

I hope I can stay on goal and realize that food, cake, ice cream and pecan pie will always be there. I am not depriving myself of cutting back on how much I eat, but bettering my life so I can get to a healthy weight. I can not wait to see that scale in the 100's!!

Kelly

This is a very tough time of year! I have to remind myself that every single bite between now and Christmas matters! And that every bite is a choice I am making. Even if I find myself not being in a perfect situation, I can still make a healthier choice. And the healthiest choice is not getting into those situations. But you can hardly help it during Thanksgiving. However, I am the cook so we wil have healthy versions of everything and lots of veggies!

When you think about it, turkey and veggies are good for you. So, the basics are there, it;s the other stuff and the choices you make!

Keep up the good work!

Good morning ladies! I am here trying to fight a doughnut temptation. I bought a box of doughnuts for a fundraiser and now they are sitting in my kitchen. I told DH to take the across the road to his parents' house, but I guess they bought a couple boxes from the same girl. So, I'm here surfing the net, reading posts and trying to avoid the doughnuts. Next time a kid calls about that kind of thing I am going to ask if I can just donate the $$$ and they can keep the doughnuts/pizza/candy bar. Maybe I will take the box out the barn and sit it on the milk tank. I am sure my father-in-law and brother-in-laws will eat them. I've done that with bags of halloween candy before. I feel a bit guilty b/c I am sabotaging thier weight, but none of them are trying to lose weight, so I guess it's not sabotage.

I think it's a big conspiracy around here to drive me insane. :dizzy: DD insists on trashing every drawer or cupboard she can find, and heaven forbid books should be on a shelf :lol: I don't care if she reads her books or plays with her toys, but she just pulls them all off the shelf and walks away, then dumps a bucket of toys on the floor and walks away. DH gives the dog a drink (one of my dogs and one of my cats refuse to drink from a bowl they must have running water so they drink out of the tub). Ok giving the dog a drink is no big deal, but... the dog just came in out of the rain and mud and into my freshly cleaned shower and DH leaves the muddy prints there to dry. I just don't get it. I'm not mad or anything really, just amazed at how things can go so quickly from tidy to disaster. My house is clean and now I am just trying to do damage control until my friends ge there. :lol: DH's therory is why bother to pick up anything? Seriously, he tells me to just resign myself to the fact that we have four pets in the house, two kids, we live on a farm and there will be toys on the floor and mud on the carpets. But who is first one to complain when he steps on a toy in his bare feet in th emiddle of the night? :?: :lol: I just find the whole thing really funny. When I ask DD is she's trying to drive mommy nuts sh elaughs and says "Nut? Hess!" Hess is how she says yes. She's a ham.

Thanks for your support! Just coming here, breaking the cycle of sensless eating, getting away from the temptaion and thinking about the choices I have has helped. I am going to put on my shoes, and take the doughnuts out to the barn, and then go on with my cleaning and preparing for company.

I would like to join the Challenge. I am a new member here. My name is Molly. I started losing weight in June on Weight Watchers. Now I have decided to give Dr. Phil a chance. I know that I really need to change my relationship with food if I am going to succeed at losing weight. I started the Rapid Start Plan on Monday. My goal for the Christmas Challenge is to lose 15 pounds by Christmas. Starting today, there will be no more excuses to justify my weight. No more excuses why I can't exercise. No more excuses why I can't eat healthy. There is no turning back and only ONE way for the scale to go. DOWN!!! :lol:

A little about me: I am 28, single, no kids. I work as an licensed practical nurse and have six months left of school to have my RN degree. I am currently living in Ohio and am planning on moving to AZ in June when I am done with school. That is where I was born and raised.

I am very excited to join all of you in our quests for a healthier body. I'm looking forward to supporting you and receiving support from you. So many of your posts have motivated me already. Thank you. Have a great day!
-Molly

Molly: Hello and Welcome. I am also new to the board (not new to Dr. Phil weight loss). It is wonderful to see you here and I do hope we can get to know each other and provide support for one another.

Well another day is almost done! Last night I did VERY well. Only one problem... Steve (husband) had a luncheon at work today from Olive Garden. He then being very sweet brings me home a piece of some decedent cheese cake. I put it in the fridge and basically said thank you but no thank you. Well that evening he grabs it and was eating it. I said "Can I have one bite please to see how it tastes". BIG NO NO. Once I had that one bite I really liked it and decided to have some more. After it was over I felt guilty, then told myself that hey it was a small piece of cheese cake. It does not mean I have blown my diet, nor that I was bad in any way. I am still working on the "all or nothing attitude".

Today has been very good. This morning I jumped on the scale and it said 218. My weigh in day is Monday (last Monday was 220). My muscles were very sore when I woke up from the weight training exercises yesterday. I did not work out today, had an off day. Eating has been very good! Overall my mood is very good and I am still doing great. I am telling myself that one day will turn into one week and one month; which leads me closer to my goal!

Hope everyone is doing well!
Kelly :)

Welcome, Molly! You've come to the right place, this is a great place to find support. Are you still following WW at all or just doing Dr. Phil? I am combing the two. I really like points, it lets me eat what my family eats, but helps me control my portions. But I like many aspects of Dr. Phil's plan. So far it's working for me... I've lost 17 pounds since the beginning of September.

Kelly-Sounds like you are doing very well indeed. It's hard for me to eat something that isn't such a great choice b/c then I think the whole day is blown so might as well keep eating junk. It sounds like you did very well with the cheesecake. It's not like you ate the whole cheesecake, which is what I might have done in the past ;) Where do you do your strength training? Do you go a gym or have a program at home? I would like to add stregth training, but I don't really know how. I have a treadmill and I LOVE it for cardio. DH bought me wireless headphones, now I can use the treadmill while watching TV and not wake the kids b/c the volume used to have to be so loud to hear it over the treadmill. But I don't how to add strength training.

We had such a riot today decorating cookies. My daughter was covered in frosting, then she tried to use sprinkles and they stuck to the frosting so she looked like a cookie herself. The nieghbor boy was so neat he didn't like the frosting on his hands AT ALL!! We got lots of pictures. Lucky for us the cookies were so gross from toddler goo we really don't want to eat them. :lol:

I did go WAY WAY WAY over my points not just for the day but the week. :mad: I knew I would. Dinner took WAY to long to cook. The water for the pasta just would not boil. So I ate breadsticks and that's what got me in trouble, plus 3 glasses of Pepsi, which I haven't had in over a year. None of us ended up eating the pasta at all, my friends munched on tortilla chips and artichoke spinach dip and breadsticks so they weren't hungry either. So I took the alfredo sauce and pasta and put it into individual servings and froze it. Think it will keep? I'm not very good at what freezes well and what doesn't. I know you can buy alfredo and pasta lean cuisines, so I thought I'd try it.

I haven't met my exerscise goal yet this week. I weigh in on Monday, so I still have tomarrow to exerscise. But about 3 years ago we got a new washer and dryer and our old stackable set has been sitting between my livingroom and kitchen since then. I finally got sick of asking DH to move it so on Wednesday I moved it myself. NOT a good idea, it was abit heavier than I expected. I am very sore. :^:

Honestly though despite all that I am not feeling my usual all or nothing attitude. I am not angry, I am not beating myself up. In the past I would have said, "Screw it. I failed so badly so why bother trying now?" Today I feel I am still sucessful and I will continue to be successful. All I have to do is exerscise tomarrow and watch what I eat. I haven't blown my whole diet, b/c I am not on a diet, I am modfying my life from the inside out.

Well, good night all!

Hey girls,

I think I totally bombed this week. I only worked out once this week. And my schedule was so hectic that I ate fast food on more days than I would like to. Well good luck to the rest of you.

Miss McCoy, we all have crazy weeks. Don't let it get you down. You have done well so far. Take a deep breath and think about going into the next week with a clean slate. I am sure it will all work out for you. You have your appointment with the dietician Tuesday, right? That will give you a new perspective and new information,w hich I am sure will be very helpful.

I let myself lose control yesterday and today it continued. I can't even bring myself to write down in my journal what I ate. It's been rough. It shows that I am not as in control as I thought I was. :mad: Tomarrow is a new day with new choices (it's also my weigh in day :^: ). I am preparing myself for a gain. But if it does go up, I know why and I know how I can fix it next week.

Misty: Do not beat yourself up about going over! Just remember to take it one day at a time and you will get to your goal weight! I have not been here that long to get to really know, but from what I have seen you have been doing really well. The most important thing is you have not given up! Stick with it and we can get through this :)
You asked what kind of weight training I am doing. Actually on my weight training days I warm up and cool down on the treadmill. The in-between I use the dumb bells that I have, push ups, sit ups and toning exercises. I do have a spa membership (lifetime), but it really has been months since I have been there. Right now time is limited when I am able to go with two children and everything that needs to be done. It is easier for me to exercise at home in the morning or afternoon when Hannah is sleeping and Kyle is at school. My hope is in the future I will find a babysitter so I can leave and go out a few times a week and go to the gym. Then I will have more equipment to really do the strength training.
At home I have a treadmill, exercise bike and health rider. I mainly use my treadmill and exercise bike. I like to watch TV while exercising, makes it more enjoyable for me.

Today was a so-so day for me. Weekends always tend to be rough because we are constantly on the go and getting things accomplished. I tend to want to lax on the home cooking part and grab convenient food. Today we were really busy and dinner was Arby's. I had a roast beef (with arby's sauce), medium curly fry and med. strawberry shake (drank half and gave the other half to son). Next time I will not get the fries and no shake! Breakfast and lunch were really good though! Breakfast was a bowl of special K with berries, 1% milk and banana. Lunch was a salad with hard boiled egg, fat free yogurt and orange. I DID have 2 reeses peanut butter cups which was not really good thinking on my part! I did exercise for 40 minutes though and drank my 2 liters of water!
Tomorrow is my weigh in day and I am a little afraid. It will be week one for me since I started getting back to a healthy lifestyle again. Though no matter what the scale says tomorrow I am still going to stick this out and reach my goal weight!

Well it is off to bed for me now. Tomorrow is the start of a new week and I am ready for it. Will check in tomorrow with my weigh in.

Kelly

Hi everyone! Haven't been around much this last few weeks. I got a new great niece on the 10th so I've been just busy enjoying her and all the family that's came to town to see her.

I'm proud to say that I've kept on track and made some progress in that time. I'm down to 191 lbs now and only 6 lbs to go for my Christmas challenge. I cannot believe how easy this is! I work out + eat well = lose weight. I know, I know, DUH!!! But ya know sometimes that's hard to get isn't it? This week I'm adding in some swimming and walking to my circuit workout. I've also gone through my Shape magazines and pulled out all their mini workouts and I want to add in some weight training to my routine so I'm going to go through them and find one that works for me.

I cannot believe how much I love my Fitday program! I love filling out my food log and weight log and watching my little chart slide down towards my goal weight, it's such a motivation. Plus I've started keeping a regular journal, something I've wanted to do for years but never had the motivation to do. It's so nice now to sit down in the evening and fill it out. I've started doing mini journalling assignments. I get ideas from Oprah magazine and The Skinny Daily Post and I journal my thoughts about the questions they ask. It's all been so good for me on this journey. I really think that I wouldn't have the progress I have already if not for it.

Welcome to all the new members on here, we sure can talk eh? Keep up the good work ladies!

Wanda

Hello my name is Carol and I'd like to join in. I am already on one site which helps me out with support but two would be even better. I started out on South Beach last Oct. lost appox. 10lbs and kept it off. I do flex up and down a lb. or two sometimes. But for the most part feel pretty good. I would like to lose another 15lbs. total. Then I would really feel great. Meanwhile I am trying to watch my carb intake, calories to around 1500 per day and trying to fit in 25-30 fibers. So needless to say I try to make healthy choices but its not so easy. I do find keeping track of my intake helps alot. I also have been increasing my exercise by going to work out. I used to do just the treadmill and had pretty good results. Now I do about 50 min. 25 treadmill and wt. resistance training. I can see the difference and feel it. Oh how sore I was the other day after trying something new. But for the most part I am working on increasing my exercise to hopefully be a routine or habit instead of making an excuse of not going. It is working out so far I have been getting to the gym about 3-4 times a week. I figure if I exercise more and try to make healthier choices and portion control its got to work eventually. I read that for the holiday we should try to maintain not lose. But I personally would like to drop a few lbs. along with others I am sure. Also read to eat the things you normally don't have instead of the normal everyday foods. It makes sense I think. I will be making the dinner for appox. 20 with 6 children included. So needless to say lots of desserts. I hope to send them home with others so I won't be tempted the next day. Because the week after I start to bake christmas cookies and lots of them. But I can freeze them until Christmas. Well lots of luck everyone with your goals and keep in mind your not alone in this journey!
Carol

Welcome Carol! It sounds like you a re doing very well! I think you'v egot a good plan for Thanksgiving by sending leftover desserts home with guests.

Kelly, I'll have to try some dumb bells here at home. Right now I'd just like to squeek in the treadmill everyday. Small steps. Even though you may not have liked the fact that you ate Arby's for dinner, at least you made fairly good choices. I would of had the giant size fries and shake :lol: Plus you've seemed to be eating fairly well the rest of the time. Arby's is one of our favorites for fast food, we have to drive an hour to get there so we don't do it often. Last time I was there I had a market fresh cesar sandwhich, NOT a good choice. Actually if you check out thier nutritional information the roast beef sanwhich isn't too bad of a choice. Thanks for the encouraging words!!!

Wanda things seem to be going very well for you. That 6 pounds is sure to come off in time at the rate you are going! Great job!!!!!! What is FitDay? I am journaling my food, but I wish I had more time to jot down my thoughts. I find, like you, that when I do I feel better.

Things here are going ok. I gained a half a pound, not surpirsed and it is only a half a pound afterall. I still have 4 weigh ins and 8 pounds to go. I just want to be under 200. I don't care if it's 199.5 as long as it's under 200. I want it so badly. I am diappointed that I lost track of that this weekend, but I won't again. I realize how close I am. Well DD was wound up last night and did not go to sleep until 11:30 and then was up at 4:45 am, finally I got tired of trying to get her to sleep, so at 5:30 we were up for the day. I am catching a cold so I am going to laydown now that she is napping so I am not a total witch to DH tonight when he gets home from work,a nd so I don't get sicker from being so tired.

Have a wonderful day ladies!!

Thanks for the welcome. I'm excited to be here. I have been trying to do just Dr. Phil's plan but I am starting to think that I do better at Weight Watcher's eating plan with the flexibility of the points. I think that Dr. Phil's plan has ALOT to offer me because of the problems I have with emotional eating and other behaviors like that. So I think I am going to combine WW with Dr. Phil too. I'll see how that goes for me for a few weeks. I had a bad food day yesterday. I got lazy and didn't feel like making lunch and dinner before I left for work. So I ate Sonic for lunch on the way to work and then ate in the hospital cafeteria for dinner--a grilled chicken breast and mashed potatoes. Then this morning I had gained two pounds. SO frustrating!!! One of the struggles I have is that I am so busy with school and work that I don't like to take time to cook my meals. I think I will be able to stay on plan better with WW since I can just grab a frozen WW dinner and some veggies and go. I definitely need to do better at making time in my schedule for exercise. My goal this week is to make time for exercise--without any excuses why I can't.

Misty, I think it's good that you were able to keep your small gain to only a half a pound. Don't let it get you down. You had a lot of opportunities this last week to splurge on those cookies. I think you did a good job!! I know that I would have gained three or four pounds. So you did good!

Well, I have to run off to work. I am going to spend 20 minutes of my dinner break tonight walking around the outside of the hospital for some exercise. Have a good day, everyone!!! :)

Molly

Carol: Welcome to the board! Sounds like you have a good plan on food intake! That is a great idea about sending the desserts home with people so you are not tempted. For me it always helps when the food I should not eat is not around for me to even be tempted to have.

Wanda: Congrats on your weight loss! Sounds like you are doing great- keep up the good work! I think I am going to check out Fitday.com and see how it is. Sounds like it is a good program and will be beneficial to me.

Molly: Do not beat yourself about having a bad day yesterday. Just remember it was one day and today is a new day :) My biggest problem is also the home cooking part. I get so busy and then in the evening it seems like I am so washed out and tired that the thought of cooking turns me off. That is one of my biggest struggles I am trying to overcome. I actually set up a weekly meal planner so I know what I am suppose to have on what day. Also for us eating out gets expensive and I like having the extra money now that we use to eat out on. My husband and I did have a talk and decided that 1-2 times per month we will go out to a nice restaurant instead of grabbing fast food 2-3 times a week. Then again there will be days (like yesterday for me) when once again we just run to grab something because we have been going strong all day and are tired. I just need to make a list of "healthy choices" at each fast food restaurant to be prepared for the unexpected.

Misty: gaining half a pound is not bad at all! You understand where you went wrong and I have the confidence that this next week you will see that scale go down :) I hope you start feeling better soon and if you are catching a cold it will quickly go away.

Well had my first weigh in today and the scale said 217- -2 pounds this week. It is a start for me and one I am going to try my hardest to continue. It does scare me that so many birthdays and Holidays are coming up, but I need to make sure I use portion control and make good choices (also exercise!). I am taking an off day from exercising today. I have a habit that one day a week I do a serious heavy duty cleaning of the whole house (scrub floors, walls, bathroom, vacuum, dust, organize, clean windows, etc.) and today was the day to get that done. I really worked up a sweat and was cleaning for about 3 hours- so hoping that makes up for not stepping on the treadmill today.
I find that now since I am drinking 2 L of water a day I actually enjoy it. Before it was a task and now if I do not drink as much water a day as I am use to I feel dehydrated. The first few days was killer because I had to run to the bathroom every 15 minutes, but now my body is adjusting and I can sleep all night through.
One thing that is motivating me is I was shopping online and found some really cute clothing. I purchased it in a size smaller then I am right now. This will keep me on track to stay on plan so I am able to wear the clothes I bought!

Have a good day everyone!

Kelly

Hey guys, sorry it has been so long since I have posted. Turns out it wasn't my gallbladder, they don't know what was wrong with me. But anyways, I am all better now.

How has everyone been? I am glad to see that everyone is on track for the Christmas goals. Except for me, unfortunately. I have completely gone back to my old ways, and I am having a terrible time trying to figure out why & what I need to do to fix it.

Anyways, I will try to post here more often. Talk to you all soon.

:) Sam

Hi there all,

Samantha, good to see you back! I was wondering how it all went. I'm sorry that they didn't figure it out. That's really tough on you. I am sure you can get backon track. It's not your fault if you miss your goal, you cna't help it. You can set another goal that is attainable in the time left. Be proud of how far you have come.

GREAT JOB KELLY!!! You are doing so well.

I went to fitday.com, pretty cool. I put in what I ate today and came up with 1163 calories. I am out of points for the day. Doesn't 1163 seem low? I mean even for weightloss? I don't really know how many calories I should be eating though. I did well today and feel great about it. I even did 45 min. on the treadmill.

Well have a good night!!

Hi all! Just here quickly! Misty Fitday is a PC program that you can use to track your food, keep a weight log, set goals, journal... They have a free version on their site at fitday.com. I bought their PC version because it has more options to customize it for yourself individually and I preferred that but the online one is great too!

Have a great day all!

Wanda

Oops, didn't see that you had posted that you figured it out!!!

As for number of calories, my dietician told me that for myself (5'2", 191 lbs) that I should be eating about 1700 calories for maintaining my weight and 1600 for weight loss. My main target number is to only eat 55 g of fat or less than 30% of my total calories from fat. That is really difficult for me but fitday has made me more concious of where that fat comes from and has made better decisions easier on me.

You can also enter your exercise into fitday you know, it will tell you how many calories you've burned etc. There is lots to play with on that program!

Hope you guys find it helpful. I think I learned about it here so I don't feel bad about passing the info around on this site. It is a helpful program after all!

Tata!

Wanda

Wanda, thanks for the information! I remember from when I used ediets that they recommended a similar calorie and fat range for me as what you are aiming for. I want to say it was 1800 cal. and 45g of fat, but I can't remember for sure. So I think that 1163 is rather low. I get 24 points for the day and I used all 24 yesterday and that was equal to 1163 calories. It's interesting to see the comparison. I think I will continue to journal both. If I were to keep track of my exersice how do youthink it should be entered? I do a 45 min. treadmill routine that consists of 5 min. warm up and cool down @2.5 mph, then intervals of 3 and 4 mph, do I average my speed and enter 45 @the average speed or do I break it down and enter 10 min. @ 2.5, 11 min. @ 3 and 24 min. @4? For my points I just determine how many minutes and what intensity I walked.

I'm off to a good start today! Have anice day all!

Hello everyone!

Hope all is going well for each of you today. So far so good for me. I got up early and decided to start the day off getting some housework done and then exercise. I am almost done with my water for the day. Breakfast and Lunch was healthy and balanced. Over this week I wish to increase my exercise because of Thanksgiving and birthday this weekend. Right now I am only at about 30-40 minutes a day and need to increase this.

Misty: I also started using fitday.com last night. I think it will be really helpful for me to see where all my carbs, fat, protein are coming from each day. Also I love how it tells you the percentages. Right now I am at (breakfast & lunch) 58% carbs, 20% protein, 22% fat. I think for dinner I am going to cut down on the carbs and add more protein.
For inputting your exercise: I also warm up and cool down at 2.5 on the treadmill and in between 3-4. I broke mine day. Example 2.5@ 10 minutes and 3.0@ 20 minutes. That way it is correct for the number of calories burned.
I am not sure where I should be for calories a day but I do not want to go below 1300 and not over 1600. I think I am about to try to aim for 1500 a day.

Well little one is waking up from her nap so I should scoot for now.

Kelly

Kelly, I think I will input my exercise that way as well.

I'm so silly. I am alloted 26 points for the day NOT 24, I read the wrong line!! Two points won't make a huge difference, but it will allow me my cup of FF SF Edy's Chocolate Fudge Icecream Like Substance for 2 points each night ;) If I add that to what I ate yesterday I'd be in the 1300 range which seems better.

I think I am going to stick to my points, but continue to record my food with fitday. I like the breakdown it provides, but points are much smaller numbers to deal with and with my limited math skills smaller is better :lol:

Well, while the kiddos are napping I need to finish up a few projects. I am babysitting my four adopted siblings (ages 12, 11, 10, 8) all day tomarrow. They all have special needs and are more than a handful, my mom can't leave them with anybody else so when they have full days off I drive the hour to thier house and spend the day with them. I usually try to have a full schedule of games and projects so they don't have time to get bored and get into stuff or get too hyper. I will also have my two little ones so that will make 6. So I have to finish printing out our "cool activities" as my brother Andy calls them.

Plus a neighbor's friend sent a HUGE tote full of baby clothes for DS. I have to sort them by size and try to find room for them, and while I am doing that I have to put away all the stuff that is too small. DD is 18 months and wears a size 12 months, she actually still has some 6-9 month size pants! DS is just 3 months today and has been in 3-6 months stuff for a couple weeks. The difference between them is funny.

So have a nice day! I'll probably be back tonight so I have something to keep me from snacking before bed ;)

Hello all,

I got on the ball early this morning. I did not get my 8 hours of sleep last night (more like 6), so I was a dragging a little, but pushed myself to exercise first thing....and I am proud to say I completed my 45 minute work out! I feel so much better knowing that it out of the way and I have reached my goal for today.
I think my biggest problem is patience. I am such an impatient person and usually want to see gratification right away. Such as housework, you do it and afterwards you feel so much better because you immediately see your results. With losing weight it seems to take so long before you actually see the results of your hard work. I know this is a life style change and one that I will keep for the rest of my life. I just can not wait to get into a size smaller jeans or look in the mirror and see my thighs get smaller. Do any of you have this problem and if so how do you deal with it and get through it?

Misty: Wow sounds like you have a very busy day planned today! It is amazing how each child is different huh? Our daughter Hannah, who turned 1 yesterday was born two months premature. She shot right up and now is wearing size 15 months! Only problem is sometimes the pant legs can be too long for her. They grow so quickly it is amazing to see. Boy does she keep me busy though! A child with such curiosity that she is always on the go wanting to move about and explore. I just wish she would get the idea that if she opens the kitchen cupboard doors (we do have baby latches) that there is a small gap but she can still get her fingers slammed in them when she puts her weight on it!
You have been doing a great job and keep up the wonderful work!

Well going to hop into the shower while Hannah is still sleeping and then the fun of the day starts. Will check in later!

Kelly

Great Job with the exercise Kelly!! I really need to get up and do my workout in the morning. That would help me so much.

I am beat! My brothers and sister wore me out!!! They were very good though. The oldest he can get violent at times when he's upset, he got pretty angry at me once today but we diffused the situation and the rest of the day went so smoothly, it was even pleasent. Then I came home and did 30 min. on the treadmill. After that I made a pumpkin gingerbread triffle to take to my inlaws tomarrow.

I went over on my points though. I forgot to pack my lunch today, so since DH works just up the road from my mom's house he brought me lunch. Chips and a cheeseburger and grape soda. Pop just isn't worth 7 points. But I do have the flex points, so it's not really all that bad.

Well all have a super night and a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

hi all i was wondering if i could join your board i do ww was hoping to be down 30 pounds by christmas so that i was under the 200 mark but i know that is not a good plan at this late date so i would be happy with being in the 2teens. as in 215or 213 i am at 226 on tuesday and have decided that i am starting fresh on Friday ....Thanksgiving sort of did me in ...... but it is done and over so we restart well not really restart but get back on program come friday

a little about me i started Weight watchers on 10-28-2003 (at 290) with a good friend and i have lost 64 pounds to date on last Tuesday morning i was 226 .
i am 37 years old 10-22-1967 and have been happily married to the same man for 16 1/2 years we have a 15 year old daughter (who is also a ww member).
I have driven a 72 passenger sled(k-12th grade) for 13 years now (School Bus) and i live in North east PA

Hello Mary, Welcome!!!! 64 pounds is awesome!!! I too am from North Eastern PA, we are from Potter County, just south of Olean and Wellsville NY. I always admire bus drivers, that is a job that takes way more patience than I have.

This is a great group of people I have found lots of great support. So join in, there is still plenty of time left until Christmas!! THANK HEAVENS!! B/c I did super well at dinner on Thanksgiving, I had about 9 points for dinnner, but before we left I had two peices of pb and j toast (white bread which I never eat but sent DH to the store to buy bread and he came home with 5 loaves of white bread :mad: ) Then b/c I didn't each much at dinner I was hungry and forgot about the toast and had a sub thinking I had more points. So I ended up using the last of my points and the last of my flex points for the week. Should be fun this weekend with no flex points left.

How was the holiday for everyone? Ours was very nice. I hope everyone had safe journeys if they were traveling and a wonderful day.

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Mary: Welcome to the board! Congrats on your 64 pounds weight loss! That is a great job!! I think 213 is a very reasonable and reachable goal for Christmas. We are close in our stats. Monday, my last weigh in I was 217. My heaviest weight was 275, so I total lose of 58 pounds. I am not using WW, but I did try it in the past. Keep up the wonderful work and I look forward to getting to know you!

Misty: Hey great job on doing so well at Thanksgiving dinner! Don't worry about no flex points left for this weekend, I have confidence you will be able to do it! I know you said you have been using Fitday.com and I also started using it. Last night I actually purchased the software so I do not need to get online and such. Just wanted to let you know it does have a lot more you can play around with and is pretty cool. I like how it will keep my measurements. SOOO today I am going to search and find my tape measurer and get my measurements. Girl, this could be scary, haha! At least then I will be able to track my progress. When I was going to the spa (months ago) I would get measured 1x a month. It was AMAZING to see how many inches I have really lost in that months time. In March- April I lost 6.5 inches off of my waist and the feeling was incrediable to learn how well I did that month.

My Thanksgiving was very good. I got up early in the morning and did exercise at a moderate to heavy intensity in hopes it would make up for dinner and dessert. I did excellent at dinner. It was AFTER dinner that I messed up a little bit. I usually do not drink and I had a drink, but all in all it was great. I went to the store to grab some milk and bought an exercise ball to help with toning exercises. In the evening when inputting everything I ate I was pretty worried that today on the scale I would see a +. To my surprise my weight did not go up- which is wonderful!
I know everyone says to only weigh yourself 1x a week. Which I do take my weight every Monday and use those figures for the week, but I will admit I often check during the week to see where I am. It does not hurt me, but actually helps to keep me in check and see how my progress is.

On another subject... I am really looking forward to losing all of this weight and reaching my goal. I am not sure how you guys feel about plastic surgery, but it has been something I have been thinking about for a very long time. This past summer I went and had a consultation with a plastic surgeon. After many talks with my husband, lots of research and thinking I have decided that when I lose all my weight I will have some surgery done. Right now after a lose of 58 pounds I have excess skin. When I reach my goal my total weight loss will be 115 pounds. I know exercise will help tone, but it will not do all the job. I will have 3 surgeries done. First is a tummy tuck and liposuction. I have stretch marks and excess skin from losing weight and pregnancies. Then liposuction will help with the hard to lose hip/thigh area. Then the next surgery I will have breast lift and augmentation. I breastfeed both of my children (which really puts changes the breast) also with losing weight things have gone..um south. Being that I am only (about to turn) 24 I really would love to be able to look in the mirror and enjoy the body that I see. So this has been one of my main motivators to losing this weight. Just wanted to share with all of you!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day and I will check in later!
Kelly :)

Kelly, thanks for all the great words of support. Boy do I need them today. I've been fighting with DH and crying and feeling general crappy.

I am interested in the fit day software, how much was it if you don't mind my asking? I am also thinking about buying mastercook software, when you enter recipes it calculates the nutritional information, would be great for either WW or fitday. I've looked at it on ebay, you can get the newest version for like $15, I thought that was reasonable. But, I have so many other things to buy right now I can't justify spending more on my wieghtloss efforts after years of diet books, unused equipment and vidoes (all of which I threw away), gym memberships I never used, WW meetings I didn't apply. Right now I feel guilty even spending money on foods that are low cal and healthy. Mostly I just adapt the crap DH eats (he'd live on hotdogs and hamburger helper if he could). I have a big hang up about not working. I've always made money, now I feel like I don't deserve to spend the money I don't earn. DH gets upset with me for feeling like that. But then he does stuff that makes me feel that I am right to think that.

Having trouble with the "right thinking" today, can you tell?

I SO HEAR YOU on the plastic surgery. I have considered it as well, for the exact same reasons you are. I know it will be long and painful, which just isn't protrayed well on most reality makeover shows. But...I am 27, I spent all of my teen years and 20's either thinking I was fat or actually being fat. Breast feeding and having babies have taken their toll. I don't want to spend my 30's the same way or feeling bad about my body in another way. My apprehensions stem for the cost most of all. I will not have it done until I am at my goal weight and I know I am ok with myself on the inside. I think that's what gets missed alot on those makeover shows, the inside isn't completley fixed. I am working on that though, through Dr. Phil's book as I lose this weight. But, in the end I probably won't be able to afford it.

I hope everyone has a super evening. I will probably be back checking in later, b/c right now this board really keeps me grounded and in control.

Misty: Sweetie I am so sorry you are having such a rough day! I know how it is when you are trying so hard to stay on track and it seems as if the whole day is going in a negative way. Just remember now if you stay on track, how much better you will feel tomorrow having gone through a rough day and you made it through! If you happen to slip up, then just pick yourself up the next minute and get back on track and realize you are only human and we can not be perfect 100% of the time.
On the DH subject: My husband, Steve, is as skinny as a stick. He has wonderfully passed that gene down to my son and I think my daughter has the gene also. Really I prayed they would get this. The PROBLEM is Steve can eat whatever he wants in the quantity that he wants and not gain an ounce. I on the other hand look and food and gain weight. So my problem is I just need to understand that Steve can eat those foods (high metabolism) and I can't. Makes it really trying when we go out to eat and I really see (and like) what he has on his plate. Steve is very supportive and does not intentionally eat in front of me or through in my face that he can eat it and I can’t. THOUGH in the past he has brought goodies home (which I told him no more). So I fully understand how it is with the DH thing. This really is HARD WORK and we just need to stick with it and realize we are doing this for us first.

The fit day software cost $19.95. I too feel the same way as you..another thing that I am buying..will I use it or will it be wasted as in the past. BUT I made a choice to stick with this and if this software helps me (really does seem to be) then it is another step to help me get to my goal. Please do not look in the past, remember we are going to stick with this and this is a fresh start. If you keep looking in the past (in a negative way) you are telling yourself that you can't do this (as in the past), and we both know you can!

I understand about feeling guilty about not spending money since I am a stay at home mom. On another hand (DH and I have talked about this) I have a very busy full time job just as he does. The only difference is he gets up in the morning and leaves the house to do his work and he has people around him to report to. He has bad days at work, just as I have my bad days at home. Give yourself a pat on the back! You have a brand new baby at home you are taking care of. I am astonished that you are doing so great after just having a baby. I remember the sleepless nights and how tired you are in the beginning. I look at it this way, Steve goes to work to bring money in so we can live comfortable. I stay home to make sure that we have a comfortable home, our children are safe, the housework is done, the bills are paid, the house is in running order...so when we are all at home and our jobs are done we can all relax knowing everything is being taken care of.

If you want to at any time you can email me at Kelly1217@comcast.net I am on the computer frequently through out the day.

As for me it is now 10:48 pm and I can say today has been a good day. I really did not eat that much. I did have a sandwich late, which I try to not eat so late, but that was only because I was hungry and under 1,000 calories. So for the day I ate 1367 calories. I did not exercise, took a day off, but I am OK with that. Tomorrow we are having my daughters first birthday party (cake and ice cream). I am a little fearful about this, but I just need to stay on track and take control of the situation. DH has taken vacation for a week and a half, which will help me so I can get a little more exercise in next week. My next weigh in is Monday..I am looking forward to it, but also a little apprehensive.

Ok enough writing for me, sorry this letter got so long! Misty hang in there girl you can do it!
Talk soon!
Kelly

Hello everyone,

Well today has been an up and down day for me. For some reason it seems like I have no energy at all. I had to drink some coffee mid day just to keep me motivated and keep going. Working out was a tough chore, but I pushed myself. Would of liked to exercised a little longer though.

In about two hours from now we are having my daughters first birthday party. Afterwards we have reservations at one of my favorite restaurants (Hanayori of Japan). My mother and step father (in town for Holiday) has never been there. Really the food is very healthy and it is the best!

I am hoping tomorrow is a better day! Hope all is doing well today!

Kelly

Kelly-Thanks for your support and positive words. Today went MUCH better!!

I hope your day went well as well. Birthdays are hard and being that your daughters so closely follows a holiday makes it all the more difficult. But I know you will do well at dinner tonight and you made a great choice by exercising! :cp: I am sure your weigh in on Monday will show all of your hard work. You have been working very hard and making great descions.

I completley get the skinny husband thing. DH was rail thin for years, he'd eat 5 beef and cheddar sanwhiches, buckets of Moutain Dew AND a dozen fresh made doughnuts from the local cidar mill and not agin an ounce. He'd do this everyday. In collge his team won the national Christian college cross country championship. But then broke his leg shortly before going from a farm job to an office job and it caught up with him once he hit 27 or so. Give me a two pound loss and for the first time ever I weigh less than him :cb: . He tries very hard to be supportive, but I think somtimes my point counting, measuring, fretting and obsessing gets a bit tedious for him. He's not much help when it comes to helping me find time to exercise, but he works an hour form home and really doesn't have much time that he can help me. His solution for everything from headache to PMS to weightloss is drink some water and go outside to get some fresh air, "oh and feed the horses while you are out there" :lol: . Of course sometimes i think he's not too far off base. ;)

We are 4 Mondays from Christmas. We can do this! We are doing it!

Kelly how did it all go yesterday? I'm sure you did great!!! Did you have lot of people for the party or just close family? Just our parents, siblings, my best friend her husband and daughter, my grandmother and uncle who I am very close to and the neighbor family whose son is two days older than my daughter (we actully met in the hospital even though we'd lived next door to each other for a year) was 20 some people here for my daughter's first b-day. It was fun though. How was dinner? Did you find it easy to make good choices?

Today has gone well for me. I don't feel like I am white knuckling my way through the day. DD and I got up and made Mickey Mouse Pancakes. Then the kids and I played on the floor for a couple hours. AJ and I split a lean cuisine pizza for lunch (so that was 3.5 points instead of 7). Now both babies are napping... along with DH whose's not feeling well today.

I need to exercise but just can't find the motivation. I did burn a couple calories dancing AJ around the kitchen while I cooked. I exerscised Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I started to Thursday then DD woke up and DH didn't so I couldn't. You know how Friday went for me. Yesterday we spent the majority of the day across the road at my inlaws so I didn't exercise then either. I need to find a solution to this problem. My best guess is get up at 5am. I could then workout, clean and take a shower before the kids were up. If I could just do that then I would have the whole day to just be mommy. I struggle to get up at 6:30. But I think I really need a couple hours a day to myself. DS is now sleeping from about 9 pm until sometime between 3:30 and 4:30 he take a bottle and goes back to sleep. He's up at 5 everyday (somedays he skips the 3:30 feeding), eats and is back to sleep until 7. I feed him in the recliner in my room and most often fall back to sleep with him until DH leaves at 7.

Well have a lovely day all. Maybe I will hit the treadmill for a bit.

Hello Misty,
Well yesterday did not go as good for me as I thought. I was just having one of those funky days were it seemed like an effort to get things done. Dinner was excellent, but I over did it. It would have been just fine with the chicken, shrimp, rice and veggies BUT I had too much egg yolk sauce which is high in calories and fat. Then I will be completely honest I had another piece of cake when we got home. I was overcome with guilt and before bed jumped on the treadmill for 25 minutes. So I worked out an hour and 15 minutes yesterday, but know I ate too much for the exercise to help. My official weigh in is tomorrow, but this morning I went from 215.5 to 216.
I am taking an off day from exercising today. My muscles are so very sore from yesterday. The new exercise ball I used to do ab worked really helped because it hurts to even move my abs today. Though everyone in the family did a total house clean today. Worked up a sweat (all of us) for about an hour and a half. Only a couple pieces of cake left this morning and I told everyone to eat it today so it will be gone and out of sight (goal accomplished!).

For Hannah's party we had only family members over. She did very well for her first birthday. You know how they have such short attention span and opening presents at the age of 1 is not all that fun to them. Plus they get over stimulated with everything going on. It was her first taste of sugar though. Tradition they have a small cake to themselves and she like it so much she stopped using her hands and put her face into it! I got pictures, sooo cute if you want me to email them to you. Problem was we then had a 1 year old who was so sugared up she did not know what to do with herself, lol.

That is a really good sleeping habit your new one is on. Goodness I remember those days of being so tired. Hannah goes to bed at 7-8 pm and gets up around 9am. Occasionally she will ask for a bottle around 6am and then go back to bed. That is more when she is in the middle of teething. My weekday routine is to get up at 6am, get Kyle ready for school. He is off on the bus at 7:25 am. I then have an hour a half to myself. Before I started exercising again I used that time as quiet time for myself. There are days I miss that "not doing anything for an hour and a half", but I am adjusting to exercising and allowing 2 days for quiet time to myself. I am NOT a morning person, never have been and it is hard to get my rump to start moving in the morning. I have to have that one cup of coffee (with splenda) in the morning to get some motivation.

I will be honest..I am a little scared about the weigh in tomorrow. Last Monday I was 217 and for some darn reason I think I will see that number or a number higher tomorrow. I started seeing a therapist two months ago to figure out why it is so hard for me to lose weight (emotionally). I have an appointment with her tomorrow so looking forward to that. The hardest part is week 2-3 for me. I tend to lose my motivation and slack off. I am trying SO HARD to not let that happen and use her suggestions to keep me going.

Well going to head out for now. Will check back in later. I hope you and everyone else is going great today!!

Kelly

Kelly, don't beat yourself up. We all have off days. We need them sometimes. If your scale does go up, please remember all the exercise you've done and muscle you are building. Muscle will add weight at first. I know how well you've done and how hard you have worked. Don't get discouraged. I too tend to hit a slump, but mine usually hits a bit later, like NOW. So stick with me here and I'll stick with you and we'll win this. I hope all goes well with your therapist, it would be so interesting to get someone's insight like that.

I'd love to see pictures!!!!! MistySeptember at adelphia dot net. If you put your email address right in here it might be picked up by spammers. DH told me that the otehr day, I didn't know it. Unfortunatley my daughters first birthday was not her first taste of sugar. My inlaws load her with crap. I had to really protest yesterday when they were giving her hershey's kisses at 9 am. I really put my foot down on that one though. But ever since she really started on table foods they've given her all kinds of crap. DH doesn't mind and most of the time I don't go with them so I don't see it. They do however also give her lots of fruits, veggies and lean meats like chicken and turkey. They are all around BIG eaters not just sweets. I swear she ate so many fresh blueberries and fresh peas from the garden this summer she was either going to sprout pods or turn blue.

I am prepared for a gain tomarrow. I ahven't worked very hard this week, made alot of bad choices, and several good ones. But I will understadn and not let it bug me if I gain. I derserve it. I am being honest with myself about it. I'm "being real". I fteh scale goes up I know why. I will focus more on my goals and look forward to a better week. I need to read my goals I wrote in the chapter discussions. Hopefully we can resume those discussions soon.

Well there's a show on that I want to watch at 9 so I better run. Good luck tomarrow!!

Wow you chatty girls!!! I can't keep up!

I'm glad that you guys are finding fitday helpful. I bought the software 5 months ago and spent two months ignoring it but now I'm addicted to keeping it current. I especially love the ability to set weight goals and keep track of my progress. Once you play with it you start to learn all kinds of cool things that you can do with it.

I had a great weekend away this weekend. Not good for my weight loss efforts but defintly good for my spirits. My dh and I took off for a weekend away and to get our Christmas shopping done. It was wonderful but I ate whatever I wanted and did no exercise other than shopping of course! We all know that shopping is hard work! But I'm okay with it all, I know that tomorrow is another day and that I had myself under control this weekend and CHOSE to eat what I did, not emotional eating at all. I can't wait to go to the gym tomorrow and get at it again. I get weighed this week so I'll see if I have any results. I'm sure I do, I can see the difference in the way my pants fit, ie. LOOSE! YAY! Plus I only have 5lbs to go till I reach my Christmas goal so I should have no problems with that in the next three weeks. I just am having a great time of it, thank goodness, it makes it so much easier!

This week I'm adding in swimming to my exercise routine and some home weight lifting. I know that weight lifting is really important in weight loss. Suprisingly I enjoy weight lifting as well so that's a bonus.

But that's my week! Glad to see how everyone else is doing!

Welcome Mary! Congrats on the huge weight loss so far! Keep it up!

Have a great week everyone!

Wanda

good morning all had my first cup of coffee :coffee2: and ready for the day ....
i want to redue my weight by christmas i want to be to 212 which i just figured out is my next 10% goal that is 14 pounds away .
I have had a good week really surprised i still have 17 weekly allowance points left ,even with the holiday, :smug:
My DH came home sick from work on wed and was sick all weekend :( as we all know this is not a good thing men dont do sick well :dizzy:
he did go to work today just hope he dont over do . i am going to go shopping today i have the day off i love a long weekend just dont look forward to getting up and going to work in the morning oh well thats life

GOOD MORNING!!!!! Well I feel great! I got up at 5:30 (Ben was up at 5:00 he ate and we came down at 5:30). I did 45 min. on the treadmill!!! :tread: I am aiming for 4 days of exercise this week. I am trying to be realistic, sort of ease myself into it. I've already had 40 oz of water.

I "officially" weighed in at a 1/2 pound loss. So I'm back at the same weight I was two weeks ago. I'm happy with it of course. I have 8 pounds to reach a 25 pound loss, but if I can make it to 24.5 and be under 200 I'll just ":lol3:" .

Welcome home, Wanda!!!!!! I'm so glad you had a great weekend away. Don't we all need that sometimes? Don't discount the workout that shopping is. It's almost like a marathon at times. You've worked so very hard so I am sure you will see results. Good luck at your weigh in!

Good Morning, Mary!!!! You did so well through the holiday!! Great Job. I was so out of points for the week lol, I am probably negative. Oh well, to day is a new day, a new week and I'm off to a good start. Got to love sick men, huh? :rolleyes: My husband rarley gets sick but when he does good grief. But I'm glad you hubby is feeling well enough to get back to work.

My hubby is home for hunting. I love him to death and enjoy the time with him, but I get so off track when he's home for several days, he's been off since Thursday. We have a certain rhythm to our day, not really a schedule, just a way we do stuff and when he's home we all get blown off course. Plus the house work seems to double :lol: . Oh well, I'm glad he's home and we get to spend a bit of time with him. :D

Have a great day today ladies. Good luck on all you weighins! :goodluck:

So where is everyone as far as thier goal go? I was going back and looking at where everyone has come from since the beginning of the trhead, but it was WAY to hard to keep track of everyone and since so many of us joined later or changed goals it got really hard.

Maybe for a bit of motivation we can add up all those pounds we've thrown away forever?

I wanted to lose 25 lbs. by Christmas but I started losing before I found this challenge. I had already lost 14 lbs. So from the first day I started the challenge (on 11/03/04), I guess my official goal was to lose:

11 lbs by Christmas
3 lbs lost
8 lbs more to go

I guess I had bette rget on the ball then, huh? :)

Hello everyone

Had my second weigh in day today -1.5 pounds (215.5 now). I did lose which is great, just getting impatient and need to work on that. Husband took some vacation for the next 1-2 weeks, so we are getting all of our Christmas shopping out of the way. Today we were hungry and stopped at Dairy Queen. I exercised extreme control and only got a Grilled Chicken sandwhich. DH got fried chicken strips, french fries and a moolate (my favorite huh)! He asked if I wanted a few of his fries and I said no thank you. I can not explain how hard it was to sit there while ordering and had to bite my tongue to stop myself from saying chili cheese dog, french fries and moolate! I got through it though and so far my eating has been good today. I have not exercised though. Going on a short sleep so I am dragging. I plan after I type this to get my butt on the treadmill. Also the other day I used my new exercise ball for ab work and MAN I think I injured myself! My abs hurt so bad yesterday and if I cough today I hold my chest because it hurts. I need to slow down and work myself into that one.

Wanda: That is wonderful that you only have 5 pounds left to go to you reach your goal! Way to go! I am looking forward to that feeling of my clothes getting loose. That’s great you are done with your Christmas shopping and yes you are right that is some work. Please update your weeks weigh in, it will be great to hear how great you are doing as I know you probably have lost :) Also the fitday is a great software. It really helps me to visually see my progress and what I am eating. I am very religous about making sure I have it filled out each day before bed and look over how my progress is for the day. Thank you for telling me about it :D

Mary: Wow after the Holiday having 17 points left is wonderful! Sounds like you are on target and really focused. Great work with that. I hope your DH started to feel better. That’s the one thing about this time of year, so much starts going around.

Misty: That is great that you are down -.5 pound! Hey you thought you would see a gain from this past week, what a nice surprise. Any weight lost after Thanksgiving Holiday is a plus! I know what you mean about getting out of your routine while DH is home. I love spending time with my husband and we are getting a lot accomplished, but it is very different from what a normal day would be for us. Hannah takes a nap at noon usually, but we were Christmas shopping so did not lay down until 2:30- can you say cranky baby, lol.

As for the Christmas Challenge:
start weight was 219 and goal to get to 207 on 12/24

Lose: 12 pounds from start to Christmas
Pounds lost so far: 3.5
Pounds to lose to reach goal: 8.5

Lets see from today I have about 25 days left or 3 weeks 4 days. If I can lose 2.5-3 pounds these next few weeks I will be able to reach my goal. Better get my rear going huh! On that note I am off to jump on the treadmill, lol.

Have a great day ladies!
Kelly

Kelly- Great Job on your loss! That has to feel good! You deserve a big pat on the back for your choices at dairy queen :cp: Every positive choice is one step towards your goal!

Hello everyone!

Misty: Thank You! :goodvibes It was a hard one to get through, but after it was all said and I done I felt stronger from it. You have also been doing great and I hope this upcoming Monday we will both see a great loss!

Kelly

Hi girls!

Way to go on the healthy choices at Dairy Queen Kelly! I've been really weak in that area these last few days. We've ate out like 8 meals and I haven't made many good choices. No good!

I also haven't made it to the gym yet this week. I'm heading there tomorrow though, it's a priority now. I think I'll try to start lifting weights at home too, I've got everything here for it, just need to get to it. So that's where I'm at. I'm scared that I'm going to start slipping backwards on my plan. I need to regain my focus that I somehow lost this weekend. So please give me a much needed kick in the butt ladies!!! Anyhow, that's it for me, it's late here so I'm off to bed!

Wanda

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :cloud9: :cheer:
can everyone guess i had a good weight in on tuesday i was down 1 pound but the big thing is that it brought me do a total of 65 pounds so i got my next star i also went to the salvation army store and bought my self jeans i dont want to spend a lot when i am going throught so many sizes I am down from a size 26 to a size 18
so i want to wish everyone else good luck :goodluck: with there weight ins and i hope you all have as good as mine .

WAY TO GO MEMOE.... I know you must be so proud of yourself!

Keep Up The Good Work!!!! You are an inspiration to the rest of us!

Hello ladies!!!! I'm having a great day so far.

Mary!!!! WAY TO GO :cheer: Now a size 18 is really something to celebrate :cb: Angel is right you are an inspiration! :angel:

Wanda, it's ok to have off days. What is really important is that you are here. You've recognized that things are off track and you know how to change that. Don't under estimate the importance of that. You've made a big step there. :kickcan: You wanted a kick in the can so there you go ;) You can do this!!!! You've worked so hard, you can continue. This season is rough, so cut yourself a bit of slack and don't beat yourself up. Today is a new day, you can start fresh.

Hi everyone (old and new)

Just checking in to let you know that I'm 1.4 pounds away from reaching my Christmas goal.

Good morning all!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday!!!!

JOY!!!! I am so happy for you!!! 1.4? That's it? I am sooooooo impressed. Great job!!!!! It makes me want to jump on that treadmill again :)

I am trying a new routine to help me get those treadmill miles in. I am doing three 30 min. sessions throughout the day when my kids are sleeping. It was just WAY too hard to set aside 45 min to an hour. A half an hour is do-able. I felt very good at the end of theday b/c I had succeeded. I have my first session in today already. A half an hour flies by, I can even increase the intesity b/c I am not dragging out the time.

I think a drank a bucket of water yesterday. :lol: I have been doing very well on my food choices. I am a bit nerveous b/c this weekend Josh has to help his sister move, so while he does that I am taking the kids to my best friend's house (she lives in the same city as my sister in law). Around here our dining out choices are very limited, in the city we can hit all our favorite places. I am sure we will grab fast food on the way there or the way home, and eat at least one meal out. Perhaps I'll pick up subway or something nstead of fast food. Wish me luck.

have a great day

Wanda: Thank you for the support- it was a very rough test for me at Dairy Queen. I hope you are back into focus and on the right track (kick in the butt for you :kickcan: ). Misty is right, this is a rough time of year and do not beat yourself up. Let yourself have some breathing room, but still try to make the right choices. If you happen to have a bad meal then remember that you can change in on the next oneJ

Mary: WAY TO GO GIRL! :cb: That is great! At my heaviest I was a size 26, now at a size 20. I have these size 18 pants sitting in my closet and keep putting them on about 1x a week. Still too tight in the rear area, lol, but I can not wait to also get into a size 18 pants! I am so happy for you and congratulations!!

Joy: That is great that you are 1.4 pounds away from your Christmas goal! I know you are going to surpass your Christmas goal and look wonderful! :cheers:

Misty: You have been doing great! :cheer: My suggestion for this weekend is to think of the restaurants that you might go to. Go to the website and pre-pick some food choices that will fit into a healthy meal. I have done that before when I know we will be out, I just decide ahead of time what I will. That is the easy part- hard part is sometimes sitting to it, lol. You have been doing great and keep up the good work with the exercise!

So far so good here. Had a rough couple of days, but have done wonderfully on eating. My exercise routine has been a bit down, but as I am typing this I have my work out clothes on to go on the :tread: and work some fat off. I am excited to see how my next weigh in goes and to see what my new weight will be. :goodscale I am praying it is lower then my last weigh in and NOT higher!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Kelly

Kelly try to get a pair of the relax fit 18 s there is still some that i cant ware in the 18s they fit they zip butttttttt... :mad: they are a little to tight in some places that just should not be thight the 18s that fit the best is landsend and just my size .

my dd had a wonderful weight in last night she is down 4 pounds which is amazing for she did not stay onprogram after thanksgiving being 15 she went to two different girlfriends houses and did not watch what she ate . she was so happy last night i could not get her to stop bouncing.

well have a good OP day today

Mary, Congrats to you daughter!

Kelly, I think that is a super idea. I will have see where my friends want to go. Or I will just pick somewhere and insist taht we go there :)

Well have to run

~Misty

Hi ladies!

I've been having a pretty good week. I was very busy all week and only squeezed in two gym sessions. But I had to take two long distance trips and didn't get home till the gym was closed so there wasn't much I could do about it. I missed my weigh-in cause I wasn't home too. But I don't know if there will be much difference; sadly I have a monthly weigh in so it sucks even more. But I'll find out on Monday. I've decided to go at least four times next week to make up for last week.

I'm not getting down about it though, just picking up and moving onwards. I've been eating well all week though so hopefully it will componsate. I found a new restaurant I just love while I was traveling this week, it's called Toyko Express. It's a sushi restaurant chain. Do you have them in the States? Just curious! They have AWESOME food.

Anyhow, I need to hit the hay it's really late here. I just wanted to check in on you all and see how its' going. Keep up the good work you're doing Kelly, just keep making it happen. After three months it will become a habit. Misty, good luck on the trip! Make sure you don't make it hard on yourself to eat out. Choose something that is healthy for your entree but share a delicious dessert or appy. You need a treat once in awhile. Mary, Congrats on the size 18!!!! That's awesome news! Don't you just love throwing out clothes too BIG for you? I sure do. My dh groans but I just say, too bad honey, they're not staying here so that I have an excuse to gain again! Keep it up!

Have a great night all!

Wanda

Hello everyone!

Today is my 3rd weigh in and I lost 3 pounds! Been a tough week to get through, but in the end it worked and I am thankful for it. This weekend I went out Christmas shopping and picked up a pair of 18w pants. When I got home tried them on and they fit!! That is a good feeling. I can not wait to see that scale in the 100's. It is killing me that I am so close, yet so far away. BUT I know if I stay on plan and continue to do well I will see that number in January.

Wanda: Thank You for your support. It is wonderful to have a group of people who are also going through the same thing as I am. I have never heard of Tokyo Express, but it sounds good! That is wonderful that you are not getting down about the gym sessions and missing weigh in. In all honesty you are a very strong person to go that long without being weighed. I have a nasty habit that I want to weigh more then I should. This past week a friend from the board and I decided to not weigh for the week. I cracked after 5 days- she was strong and made it! So hey my hats off to you on waiting!

Well have lots planned today so going to head out and get started because the coffee wears out and I start to crawl. I wish everyone the best week and hope you all had wonderful weekends!!

Kelly

HAPPY MONDAY

Wanda: It is hard to travel and still remain strong. Heck, it's hard to do at home when you have access to so many more resources. I think now we are starting to unconsiously starting to make better choices so we end up doing better than we thought. It's had when you feel like you didn't do your best, but you have done such a great job, I know you did well.

Kelly: YAY!! on you loss :cheer: AND your size 18's :dancer: You have done so very well. 5 days with no scale is killer, I am impressed and proud of you!!

I had a super weigh in I was down 2.5 pounds. I did better than I thought I did when we ate out the other day. I didn't journal like I always do, so the next day I thought I must have blown it. But in crunching the numbers, I did use ALL but 1 of my flex points, but that's ok that's what they are there for. I consider it an on points week if I am still on the plus side of flex points by the Sunday night. SO I'll give myself a little star there. I love working out 30 minutes several times a day. It's one of the big pluses of haveing a treadmill handy and super great kids. I am making an effort to put myself first for the first time in my life and I am finding that when I do I am able to give my family SOOOOO much more.

Well, I'm off to put a check in the bank b/c tonight I am buying a dishwasher!!!! Four people are too hard to keep up with!! It's a christmas gift from my gramma. It's WAY more than she should have spent but she insisted. She's like a mother to me. Josh wants to wait but since the check is in my name I am MAKING him go get me one. None of this typical procrastination. I had the money saved from babysitting this summer, but he procrastinated so long we ended up spending the money on diapers and such lol. NOT THIS TIME!

So have a super day ladies!!

Misty

:cp: Well girls I had my monthly weigh in today and all I can say is YAY :cp:

For this month I lost:

4 lbs
6.25 inches
0.5% body fat
0.8 bmi

:dancer:

I weighed in this morning at 190lbs but I know that I'm a little under that it's just that tom and I weigh a bit heavier because of it. So I'm just thrilled! THings are going this good and I'm not even eating as well as I usually do, holy crap!!! When I get back to my regular routine there will be no stopping me!!! Just want to say :thanks: for all the support you girls have given me!

Wanda

i am so disappointed :( :dz: the school i work for has a 2 hour delay today which isnt bad because it is slippery and i do not like sliding around with a school bus full of kids (or me ) BUT i am going to miss my weight watchers meeting i live in a rural area and my meeting is the only morning meeting in the area . which means that ,to go to a meeting i will have to go to a night meeting and Thursday night when my daughter goes to her meeting is out because she has her christmas concert so we will both miss that one i just dont know what to do i hate missing my meeting , and i hate weight in at night when i normal weight in in the morning :cry: :cry: boo hoo

Hi all

WAY TO GO WANDA!!! You are right there will be no stopping you! GREAT JOB!!!

Mary I hear you. You have every right to be frustrated. Perhaps you can catch another meeting another night? I know it's not ideal, but if it will help you a bit perhaps it's worth it. If not then you know you tried your best and I know you will do great this week anyway. You are working so hard and knowing you may not get to your meeting might inspire you to kick it up a notch. Good luck :)

I have to run, have a great day all!!

Hi gals! Sitting at home sick right now so I'm not getting in any exercise this week! Boo-hooo! I hate getting out of routine like this. I'm hoping that I'll be feeling a bit better tomorrow so that I can sneak in for at least half a workout. With not much time till Christmas I need to be keeping up! I only have around 5lbs left to go, depending on the day it is, LOL but the holidays make eating well hard, kwim? So I'm trying hard to meet my goal.

It's strange how now that it's actually within reach how scared of reaching it I am, if that makes any sense. I'm going to have to skim through Dr. Phils' book later to read up about any possible self-sabotage problems that could crop up. Anyone read anything like that in there? That's kind of how I feel right now. Stuck and scared to make that goal. Weird.

Found out something neat yesterday though. I can pull my pants right down off my hips! :D That was a cool thing to learn, LOL.

Well I'm going to go and do something to cheer myself up, I hate being sick it always makes me so pitiful! LOL!

Have a great day!

Wanda

Wanda, I hope you are feeling better. I can't tell you exactly where it is in th ebook but I am pretty sure Dr. Phil mentions it somewhere, or maybe I saw it on a show. Holiday eating seems to be everywhere. I didn't think I'd hit it that much b/c I'm not working anymore and I figured I could avaoid teh parties and stuff, but it seems with the shopping and teh schedules being out of whack it's har dto stay on track. I've stayed within my points but it's a struggle.

I did not make it until MOnday to weigh in. I weighed myself todya and have lost 2.5 lbs this week. I hope it stays until tomarrow. I was very worried b/c this was the first week I've had a visit from AF since I had Ben in AUgust so I was afraid of water retention and stuff.

I have to run b/c we are wokring on ordering Christmas cards.

Good morning all,

This week had it's ups and downs, but in the end I lost 3 pounds. Things are hectic right now, as I am sure it is for all of you. I have to run and try to recover my house from the weeknd. I am still waiting fo rmy dishwashe rto be installed. Josh is working on it but we live in a very old house with very old plumbing and ever time he figures a problem out he has another one crop up. Maybe by Christmas I can use it lol.

Have a great day all.

Well I haven't made it to the gym now since last Monday and I'm starting to feel like a bit of a failure. I've been sick though so I'm allowing myself that at least. I don't know how I'll be able to fit in any workouts in the next couple of weeks though, it's going to be so busy with the holidays. Not only that Randy and I are leaving on the 27th for Mexico for a couple of months holiday. So I'm working hard to get prepared for all that that entails. Which is alot!!! It has been a very stressful week and a half for me and there is no end in sight.

But on the bright side I know that the trip to Mexico will be very good for my weight loss efforts. I eat less, am more active and have more opportunities to get out and lose the weight. So that should be a positive.

But as a result of my trip I won't have time to log on here and chat with you ladies for a couple of months. We'll have to keep in touch really well for the next couple of weeks to make it last, LOL!

Anyhow, take it easy! CONGRATS on the 3lb loss Misty!!!! WAY TO GO!!!

Wanda

Wanda,

You are right to cut yourself some slack. You are sick, you are packing for a very long trip PLUS you have the holidays. Concentrate on making it through all of that with out a agin and you will be doing well. MEXICO! How fun!!! We went to Cancun on our honeymoon it was wonderful, so relaxing and warm. I am sure you will be able to kick up the weightloss efforts, b/c like you said you'll eat less and be more active.

Well I have to run have a suoer day!!!!

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas Holiday. Been a while since I have been on the board. Things have been going so-so here. Just trying to stick with it and lose this weight. I can comfortably fit into a size 18 jeans now. Went through some old clothes today and found an old pair of my size 24 jeans. Put them on for fun and I am swimming in them. They basically fell down! Felt really good to know how far I have come.

Well five more days and I need to lose 1.5 pounds to reach my Christmas goal. I am hoping I can make it!

Will check in soon. Hope everyone is doing great!

Kelly