Support Groups - Summer Starters 9/01/05

Congrats on 30 lbs. Melissa. That is awesome, keep it up and you might make that birthday goal...it's about 50 lbs. in 5 months if I counted right, so it is possible if you really get your head on that and stick to it.

Does anyone else here pick out people that they would like to look like (or something like), besides having your own pictures of yourself? I have a couple people I am using for inspiration and one is on TV and I like to do the gazelle while watching her show :lol: It's just motivation to see someone in front of me who has the body type I used to have and want again, and it gives me some extra push. I am just strange, or do you all do similar things?

Theresa

No you aren't strange at all. I have a couple of people I think might be my body type-I really don't know what I truly look like since I have always been overweight. Even in high school I was about 25 lbs over weight. This is going to be a surprise for me when I get there and will finally get to meet ME! Truthfully, I think anything (as long as it isn't illegal or immoral) we use to help us achieve our goals and weight loss is ok to do and use. I say if you find something that inspires or spurns you on-GO FOR IT.
Melissa

Theresa, I don't think you are strange either. I have people who I see on TV and say hmmm I'd like to have her build or I'd like to have firm muscles like you see on the exercise videos.
and I agree with Melissa- do whatever it takes to achieve your goals!( again agree with no immoral or illegal stuff going on) CONGRATS on the 30 pounds GONE GONE GONE! I can't wait until I can say I've lost 30 !!
Welcome Luan- this group is my weight loss lifeline ofsupport!!

I did something for myself today which I have not done for a while- I went and got a good haircut Not just the everyday ho hum haircut but a good looks like wow!! haircut.I walked in and said do something new and different and she did. it feels good! it's shorter than I normally wear it and I like it - feels as though I am not being weighed down as much. I feel a bit more free- if that makes sense?? then I went and looked at clothes in smaller sizes and I am now more determined to exercise and eat right because the clothes they had in smaller sizes are so nice. I pictured buying a whole new wardrobe.

My cravings were bad today-Hubby said what do you want for dinner and I said pizza, garlic bread and wings - but instead we had chicken and salad. he did take me to the local ice cream shop and bought me a scoop of sf/ff ice cream- it's lo cal too so I had a BIG scoop for 75 calories and no fat. I wanted to mug the guy next to us with the hot fudge banana split and eat his ice cream but.. i behaved :lol:

I am so happy that I can have support and friends here. It helps to know I am not alone in this. Thank you everyone! well i have dishes to do and laundry to finish - have a great night everyone!

Congrats on the new doo! That is on my list of rewards for myself. It has been so long since I have done anything to my hair it isn't even funny. Each month when I hit my goal, I get to pick one thing just for me and buy it. This will be the first time since this is really the first goal I had set for myself. Five more pounds and I hit it and I have almost two weeks to do it-guess who will really be bumping up the program the last few days?? Hmmm. I have stayed away from small clothes stores-I still have way too much before I can attempt to try anything on but one thing for sure, another 20 and I will have to go buy something or go nowhere cause there will be no clothes for me. I have already started a bag for goodwill so they are gone gone gone when they are too big. I never want to see those sizes again as long as I have breath in my body.

I am off to bathe the darlings and thank goodness it is getting closer to bedtime. I have cleaned up enough messes today I think.

Melissa

Thank you all so much for the wonderful welcomes! it looks like things are great for everyone today. i got some bad news yesterday, i got laid off from my job effective next week. i work in hollywood, and its hard to find jobs sometimes, but im not getting discouraged at all. it just sucks because i really like my job and the people i work with.

on a happier note, im getting my hair done tomorrow. if any of you live in southern california, there is a really great program partnered with Aids Walk OC that for 20.00 you can get your hair cut at a pro salon and all the money goes to the AW. i DESPERATELY need a new do. i bleached my hair and dyed it several funky colors over the summer, so im FRYED!. anything will be better than what i have now

my motivation for doing this, beyond being healthy and looking and feeling good is that ive been involved with an independant film for the last year and we will be shooting in jan/feb. although im not an actress by any means, i sometimes get pulled in for extras parts. for the most part im behind the scenes, but for the most part i produce (glorified term for doing a lot of scheduling, coordinating, and paperwork). well if this movie does well, i may have a red carpet to be on this time next year :)

again thanks for the warm welcome!!

Your job sounds like a dream! Before I got pregnant, I was going to be a character actress. I did drama all through high school and movies are my passion. I love them. Sorry to hear about your lay off though and hopefully you will find something quickly. I am just so jealous but really excited for you and if you go down that carpet, bet you dollars to the nasty D word, we will all be watching for you.
Melissa

LOL thanks! right now i was running a wardrobe department at a cable station. it was fun, hopefully it will get me in somewhere else pretty quick

Man I don't know what is going on but I am down another 2 lbs today. I am hoping everyone is doing ok and just busy so they haven't been able to post much. I did find one kind of trick for turkey bacon. If you spray the pan with cooking spray and then cook it, it comes out much crispier and it really isn't too bad. In WW 3 slices is only two points and the other day I really felt like I was getting a treat. Amanda's birthday is next Saturday and while I am not worried about leaving cake alone, the ice cream has me concerned. Although I have had it in the fridge for 2 days now. I did put it way in the back and have other things in front of it so it isn't the first thing I see when I open the freezer. I think it will be ok. Getting too close to let anything mess it up.
Melissa

I hope everyone is doing great too!
Melissa :dance: ! another 2 down YAY!! That is so awesome! keep thinking "ice cream is not going to make me happy compared to my 30 pounds GONE!!!!" again that is so fantastic!
Luan sorry to hear about layoff- that stinks! but hopefully you'll find something soon- sounds as if you are really talented and the new haircut will make you feel FAB! I am so happy with my new cut. I am going to do a quick rinse/color to get rid of the grey tonight. where does it come from??

it has been a NICE weekend inlaws took kids to Disney today and hubby repaired the leaky shower faucets and I am catching up on EVERYTHING! I so want to open windows and let the fresh air in but it was a balmy 94 out today with humidity of 98% so that's not gonna happen. there are times I wish I lived somewhere we can get cooler faster. then again I've only seen snow 1 time and that was only 1 inch when i went to PA for a winter break. My sister who lives in NJ can't believe last year we had the A.C. on Thanksgiving day.

Is anyone else planning holiday menus already???I know it's only the 18th of Sept. but I am in such a tizzy :dizzy: that I am planning Thanksgiving and Christmas meals so I can incorporate healthy so I can eat w/o guilt. we will be going to my inlaws now that my nana isn't with us and I know I can just tell them I am bringing _________and they'll be ok with it.
Have a great afternoon everyone!

I am waiting for the WW issue to come out and see how I can "skinny" the things I normally make at Thanksgiving. It is always just me and the kids so really even if I served bologna that day, they wouldn't know the difference. Christmas Eve is mainly just snack things since we treat that day like Christmas Day. The kids are all picked up that evening and spend the day with other relatives and I either have a movie day or hang out with my parents or a friend since I have no kids all day. I used to make this really fattening hawiian bread thing every Christmas and eat it with my daughter but I doubt I will see her and holy cow the calories that are probably in that would do a person for a few days easy so I am not making it. Probably not much baking this year either unless it looks like I will be entertaining.
Melissa

I have another success to report! I put on a pair of dress pants that I haven't had on in about 6 months and they are HUGE on me! The last time I had them on they were tight and I can put my fist sideways in the waist with room left over! I asked hubby if my rear was really that big or if the pants had just stretched out (poor guy, how's he supposed to answer that question? :lol: ) anyway, he said that my rear was really that big. :^: I guess I need to plan a shopping trip, something tells me that my winter clothes are all going to be too big!

That is sooooo exciting! Congrats and what a wonderful excuse to go shopping ( like we need one) and yeah you put hubby between a rock and a hard place but it helps keep the fellas on their toes! Awesome job!
Melissa

welcome to the group luan, that is a great idea about the haircut for aids walk. i could use a haircut. sorry about your being laid off.. that sucks. i hope you will find something you like just as much or better.
congrats on your loss melissa! and suzymc too.. that's awesome about the pants! i can't wait until all my clothes, even the small ones, don't fit. mostly for the weight loss, but actually i just like getting new duds :s: i just got some new stuff for work because my mom was so impressed with my loss she gave me some $$ to get some new work-type clothes. yay new clothes :D
well i am afraid to get on the scale anytime soon because i have been way over my calories last few days. i have been craving sweets and wanting food when i am not even hungry. i am going to have to cut that out or i will have to bust out the fat clothes again :( grrr. why do birthdays have to be celebrated with cake? why not salad or steamed vegetables? a salad would be colorful and festive, not like an ugly brown chocolate cake. i think we should start a new trend.
well i ain't gonna lie.. the cookies, ravioli, wine, chips, sausage, and ice cream didn't help matters either. can't blame all those calories on someone's birthday.
i am glad y'all are all doing well. i will try to stay op tomorrow. and i will try to lay off the ice cream.

Good morning
Reaaly glad to hear the successes!
I stayed OP all weekend if it's just calories, but some of those calories came from 1/2 a piece of chocolate cake. Do you think it matters where they came from? I don't think WW cares since they give everything under the sun points. It just makes me feel bad that I didn't resist the cake.
My son and DIL spent the weekend which was good cause my DH is away. My DIL, a dear sweet girl in every way, does her best to get me to eat sweets and stuff I don't need. She comes over with 3 kinds of cake and talks about what a great dessert we will have. I've told her dozens of times that I'm trying hard and yet she seems not to hear me. I think that because she loves to eat, and stays a size 3, that she thinks eating is a way for us to bond. I guess I need to tell her more. When we look at the wedding pictures, and I look like a blimp in lace, she keeps saying how nice I look. She doesn't get it that I don't want to look like this anymore.
I am going to try to get some exercise in today. It is a bit cooler and my Lyme Disease is quiet again.
Have a good day all.
Laura

No in WW it doesn't matter what you spend your points on which is one of the reasons I like it so well. I just don't like spending them that way when I could eat 2 apples two pieces of toast ect ect. Get alot more healthy food for the points and plus I am always afraid I won't stop at one. I have been on a great roll lately and want to keep it up. I have only 3 more pounds for my Sept goal. I have to break down and buy new undies today cause my other ones literally fall off if there aren't pants to keep them there-LOL. I am also starting a project today. Both my girls have really run down looking dressers so I am going to sand them down and paint them. I am going to do it manually so that those muscles get a work out. Their room is winnie the pooh so I am painting them red and will paint the crib and toddler bed red too. It will keep me busy as if I didn't already have alot to do. I hope everyone has a great OP day!
Melissa

Hey ladies! Very proud of you all to see the scales going down, the underpants and britches falling off, and all the new projects and goals. I have been busy with hubby redoing our bedroom but it's almost done and I can get back to normal. I am doing well with the goals for my personal challenge and feel like I should have a loss come Friday. I have missed a couple exercise sessions, but not to my own slacking. One was put off because SIL showed up unexpectedly and didn't leave until really late :mad: just that kind of thing all weekend long. I'm looking forward to hubby leaving back out in the truck tonight so I can get back to normal again.

The theme song from The Biggest Loser is very motivating, if you haven't all heard it yet. When it comes on again I'll get on here and type the exact lyrics.

Theresa

Hi everyone.

Well, once again I've gotten too far behind and just had to skim through the posts to catch up. Sounds like overall you are all doing excellent! Congrats to everyone who lost pounds/inches/sizes, everyone who's been exercising, and everyone who's fallen off only to come back even stronger and with more resolve. I know we are all going to reach our goals!

I don't know what's up with me. I've been eating more the past couple weeks but the weight is coming off faster. Not that I'm complaining! It just surprises me. I haven't eaten anything really unhealthy, just more of what I normally eat. I was able to move the ticker down 3 more this week. I'm pretty excited! Yesterday was the last fair of the season so we are done with that now. It was my daughter's 13th birthday also, and she got the surprise of her life. She has been showing llamas for a couple of years for some friends but she hasn't had any of her own. Well now she has two of her own and we had a little party and gave her the surprise yesterday at the fair. She is a pretty happy girl. She had no idea what she was getting and I don't think I've ever seen that girl get so emotional. Anyway...my husband was snapping pictures and he got me in a couple of them. I hadn't seen picture of myself since early July and I've lost about 24 lbs. since then. I'm still trying to convince myself that it's really me in that picture.

well i can celebrate too today!! I went to put on my shorts that were kinda loose a few weeks ago and they are really TOO big now- like with out a belt they are falling down when I walk. Oh it's so awesome!!!!! AND I tried on Jeans that a friend had given me in size 18 petite and they can go on AND zip AND button AND I can sit in them and breathe too!!!! WHOOP I am all :dancer:
The liver specialist can just go away with his last week telling me "Oh with liver disease you'll always be fat and you can't help your disease unless you lose weight" :p he charges 80.00 for this ?? Phooey - I am losing and getting healthy. HA!
I am moving my ticker down another 2 YA HOO
I can't believe that I will soon be in the low 160's... :cloud9:
congrats to everyone for all the successes! even small ones are so important!!
:cheer: everyone!

I just read an article in a magazine that said just 6 weeks of lifestyle changes of making wise food choices, drinking water and moderate exercise can make a difference in your weight and health.
Now that I can see a result like the jeans I am more determined to exercise and eat right and drink water.
Thank you everyone for all your support and help. I know I couldn't do it without you and this group!!
Oh boy the one set of neighbors were evicted today and the landlord tossed all their stuff on the yard between our houses and the neighborhood kids are making a mess - all kinds of junk in MY yard now- i am going to go fuss..

KayElle, you are so amazing! I love when you post because I look at your ticker and see how far you have come and it makes me feel I can do this...it is possible! You deserve those lost pounds and look how close you are to your goal!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't that so darn exciting? I can't imagine, but I hope one day to find out.

I will be back later guys...time to read books with the kids and get them to bed.

Theresa

sandi good for you for not listening to your doc-won't it feel great to go in and be smaller? I love to tell dr.s told ya so. Mine isn't going to know me anymore by the time I go in. She won't force me until January (it is the only way she will refill my meds) and she knows I will come in then.Congrats on the poundage gone! It does feel so great doesn't it? I bought new undies today and it was 3 sizes smaller than what I was wearing! No wonder they were around my ankles LOL.

Kay glad to see your post as always-you are an inspiration for me too-you show it can be done.

Well today I went shopping (with both girls), planted irises in my front bed, trimmed all the hedges, made two batches of different flavored muffins for breakfasts, batch of pancakes so the kids can quick grab in the morning, started sanding that dresser (it has been tan, pink, blue and red and those are just the colors I saw), got the first load of dishes in the washer. Josh flooded the toilet yet again and I got that mess all cleaned up and am currently washing the casualties of the cleanup and getting ready to go wash a couple of windows. I feel like the flippin energizer bunny!
I may just run for Queen of America when I hit my goal weight. Need to read to Josh too (can't wait to see what happens next. Count Olaf is in drag!)

Melissa

hello ladies! Thank you for all the well wishes! my new haircut is VERY cute. short and choppy in the back and longer in the front. i like it a lot! and the money went to a good cause, so that was good too :) i had to wear a belt with my jeans when i went out of the house tho because they are a bit too big now :) i have belts, but i never use them because they are uncomfortable. this wasnt the best of situations, but it was better than my pants falling off :) i like that my clothes are getting too big for me. i looked in the mirror today and im wearing a pair of capris that used to fit perfect, they are a bit baggy now and i thought... these do NOTHING for my a$$ :)

cadwell125 - i see you are in anaheim. im in Lakewood and i have a gym membership at 24 hour. if you have one and would like a gym buddy we should get together. maybe for broccoli? ha ha ha :)

im glad to see everyone here in good spirits. its been kinda hard today at work because i had to start telling people that friday was my last day. people here are really nice and its sad to leave them. hopefully i will get called to come back soon. damn hiatus!

Bless you all who have children! I do not have any, but my sister, who works full-time, has two boys 3 & 5 and I don’t know how she does it!!!!

My refrigerator is full of fat pictures of me and inspirational pictures of advertisements of people I want to look like and picture of myself from 15 years ago when I was probably 135 (many pounds ago)!

Congrats Melissa on 32 lbs GONE!!! And 3 sizes down in the undies!! That’s awesome!!!

Welcome Luan!!! Joining this group has changed my life! I would never have gotten this far without everyone here!! Sorry about the job loss, you’ll find something else, try not to let it get you down!

Congrats on the loose pants SuzyMc & Sandisuze!!! Isn't it great when that happens!!!

Kayelle - I also love to see your ticker! I know I can lose the weight too!!!

I have been MIA - mainly busy - I did go way off plan on Saturday at my sisters & my B-Day dinner - I ate so much I actually felt ill when we got home. Had two drinks and once again ended up with a NASTY LITTLE HEADACHE, so I have decided that I cannot drink alcohol at all because of the medication I am on. :cry:

I have another B-Day dinner with girlfriends tomorrow, and have vowed not to stuff myself and bring home a doggie bag NO MATTER WHAT! One of my girlfriends has lost 32 pounds and I have not seen her since she lost it and I cannot wait to see her!!

I have lost another pound, so I am happy (a bit surprised too). My goal for the end of the year is actually my mini goal. I figured it out today I am losing about a pound a week overall, so I think I can lose at least 9 more by the end of the year.

Keep up the great work everyone!!!!

Finally! I got back online! This computer is so slow and old! This one keeps kicking me off :( Hopefully I can get in a full post!

:cb: :dance: I got to move my ticker down 3 lbs!! One more and I'll be back to 40 lbs gone( I lost 43 and then gained 10 back :( ) I'll also meet our Sept. goal! WOOHOO! Hopefully now that I'm exercising and really watching what and how I eat, the next 40 might come off a little faster-I've been at this since July 04!
Bad thing for the day-Hubby had been craving pizza for the last 3 days, we finally went for lunch today. I didn't do bad, large salad, 2 pieces of pizza and about 4 cinnamon sticks(okay, not so good!). After lunch we went to WM and I got so SICK :barf: ! I told hubby next time he has a craving- TOO BAD! I will NOT give in to his cravings! :nono:

WooHoo for everyone else going down pounds/inches/clothes sizes! We are an amazing group of women!

Melissa-WOW, what a day! I wish I had that much energy! I usually start 10 things and never finish any! :?:

Hope everyone has a great night! I'll try to be nice to my computer so it will let me back on tomorrow!

Kathy

Hey ladies! I am very frustrated today because I realized I have not lost a single pound all month, and look how close to the end of September we are already! I am going to have to ban the scale for awhile because I keep thinking I did so well, I have to lose something...then nothing. I haven't been good most of the month so that is obvious. But I have for a few days been PERFECT and still nothing...actually, it says I'm up one this AM but I am swollen as well so have to pump up the water today.

My personal challenge is going well, so at least something is going right. My back has started hurting again and I'm afraid I'll wind up going to the doctor...I HATE the doctor and only go if I absolutely have to , so I'll wait another few days to make sure I have to.

Hope everyone is doing wonderful and I'll check back later to see how everyone's day goes.

Hey energizer bunny...what pill are you taking? :lol:

Theresa

Way kewl kathy on the loss! I love to see that scale go down. Aren't you the one with 6 kids? I would never get anything done. Most days with just 3 it is all I can do to just keep up with current messes they make. I just happen to luck out yesterday and the kids cooperated with me.

Just once I would like to have a peaceful morning without josh kicking my walls the fish tank or anything else in his path. This is getting way so old and it doesn't seem to matter what I do, he never gets better about it. I am sick of the constant name calling too. Would be nice not to be told I am an idiot and that he hates me everyday. Guess the optimist in me hopes he will improve over time. He really has made progress in alot of areas it is just this part is so very old. I left his Dad for treating me like this but alas, we can't leave our kids (although sometimes it is tempting I tell ya)

The important thing is that I am not running to the fridge after every episode like I used to. It is no wonder I got so heavy. I am staying on track and determined to make that September goal.
Melissa

Hi all--I've been really out of it for a few days (seems longer!) and I'm trying to get myself motivated again. I went 5 days w/ no workout and then finally managed a pathetic one yesterday. I've been eating horribly--did just okay yesterday, I think my dinner was too big. Right now I'm hungry-I want fast food and I don't want to go to the gym later even though I brought my workout clothes with me and dh agreed to take dd to dance class tonight so I'll have plenty of time. Ugh. I feel like I'm running out of time to get to my mini goal and I lose so slowly that every day counts right now. bleh.

I've got another busy week full of late nights and long days. On a positive note--Last weekend though I made $1300 in gross sales at the artfair! Best show by far but not for a lot of the other artists. Loooong weekend--I spent 20 out of 30 hours on my feet for the weekend. So sore and tired by Sat night! Another showing on this Sat. then I can relax for a week before the next one.

I'm glad to see so many of you posting losses and triumphs. I am trying to decide if I'm really going to weigh myself tomorrow b/c I expect a gain and I don't want to think about it. My curiousity (scale addiction?)will probably win out though.

:angel: Mellissa, you are such a hero for working with your son and enduring all that goes along with him. I complain about my two sometimes but really it's nothing compared to what you go through every day. You truely are an angel, and he was given to you because you are strong enough to handle it and stick by him. Some give up, but you don't. Taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do, so it's wonderful you're learning not to run to the fridge after the outbursts. This will all come back to you one day, just hang in there and watch. Great things happen for good people, and you definitely are one of the good ones. Hang in there, you'll get the payoff...just wait and see!

Melra, I've been having the same lack of motivation as you: wanting to slack off, not wanting to exercise, wanting to eat all the wrong things. I am getting it together, but it's been really a tortorous issue of forcing myself to JUST DO IT. I looked at some old photos of a smaller me....the ME I know is in here somewhere but can't feel or touch anymore. Then I went and stood in the mirror naked and GOD if that isn't motivation then there is no hope for me :lol: Just try it! Stand naked in the mirror and REALLY check yourself out. Look from all angels and just take in the view. It's enough to give me some new spark, so I am determined to lose something this month afterall. There is no excuse for sitting at 150 for a month....no excuse except my own slacking. Really, i don't know what got into me!

Theresa

I'm not sure how strong I am-I have recently been watching for the circus to come to town and I am not sure if I am sending him or going myself LOL. Well for those who are feeling a bit saggy-GO GO GO!!!! Get back on the treadmill or gazelle and lift those weights! You know you feel better when you do and nothing tastes as good as a luscious bod and never having to look at an ugly floral dress ( I swear that is the only fabric they make for fat people) or worse yet a mumu! You can do it and I know you can cause you have been doing it! Ok there is your pep talk so go do it LOL
Melissa

Melissa-Good peptalk. Thanks.
I feel like I have been eating all day, but it was lots of fruit and it came to 1250 on fitday.com, so I am ok.
Last night we ate in real nice restaurant, outside, by the river.
The special was shrimp, sundried tomatoes and asparagud tips in a cream sauce served over chicken and cheese raviolis. I had the shrimp etc, served over greens, squash and carrots. They were real nice about it. The sauce went to the bottom of the plate, so I didn't have too much and there were only 5 shrimp, but it was very tasty. There were 4 other people and they had huge plates of pasta, big hunks or meat and fish, and mine looked so much more appealing. It was good not to be jealous of those who order anything and everything and are not busy counting like me.
Laura

Ok I definately over did today. Two ibuprophen and something like bengay and I think I will live. I have just had so much enegery lately that I have just been going nuts around here. I got the dresser all sanded (I believe now I have no fingerprints) and got the first two coats on, raked the leaves, mopped the kitchen, vac and on and on. Between today and yesterday, my back finally said knock it off already.

Great control on your eating out Laura-it is kind of funny how the longer we eat right ect, the more that stuff just doesn't have the same appeal. I got the world's easiest muffin recipe too btw-I can't keep Josh out of them.

1 15oz can pumpkin
1 box chocolate cake mix
Mix together and bake for 30 min at 350 degrees.
3pts and makes 12 muffins

For those counting calories just look on the labels and divide by 12.

Very yummy and not bad points wise.

I did 9 miles of exercise today and feel like I am back in the bus and cruising in the right direction again...FINALLY. I haven't been too bad since I haven't gained, but I haven't lost either. I am almost to the monthly exercise goal of 10 hours though, that gives me a boost of confidence. I can still make the weight goal, but I'm not looking forward to that one so much. It's okay, I'll do the best I can.

WARNING: Don't use Icy Hot while sweating! My back is sitll hurting, and it got kinda bad while doing the gazelle tonight so I rubbed some on and got going again...MISTAKE! It felt very hot then all a sudden it was burning me, it hurt so much worse than the pain to begin with. It took a lot of scrubbing to get it to stop burning and calm down. I've been using it for the past couple days without problem, so it had to be the sweat mixing with it that burned.

Theresa

:dancer: I just took a shower, and when I washed my butt I said "Hey! Where'd it all go?" The scale hasn't gone down all month but I SWEAR my booty has partly disappeared...and enough for me to notice tonight! Finally, something is going right again.

Theresa

i'm just going to apologize in advance for this post b/c I feel really whiney and self-absorbed right now. I made myself go to the gym and I made myself log on to this thread even though I just really want to give up. I don't know why--maybe it's hormonal or something... but it just seems like I am always going to be this size. I'm in a really sucky mood and I can't visualize myself being thinner. I had a horrible workout today. I finally just quit. I just turned off the treadmill and walked out of there b/c I was so bored with myself. I really had to control myself tonight on the eating too and I came very close to binging, but luckily I don't have any binge type food in the house. Of course, I had something like 4 cups of soup for dinner tonight, so that was crazy. I'll be retaining water for a week now from all the sodium.
I'm supposed to be working right now to restock from last weekend and I can't seem to create anything either, so I must just be in some sort of funk. My husband kept singing songs about me in a hot tub in an effort to motivate me and cheer me up, I guess. I finally made him go to the bar for awhile cause man, that crap was annoying.
I have tried all my little tricks and ploys to get my spirits up and I've built up a tolerance to them all. I just have a really really bad attitude right now. This whole weight loss thing just makes me so erratic! It seems like forever, but I just freaking started only 2 months ago. Sheesh! I am so frustrated with myself right now.

Come on Merla! You CANNOT quit now! You have come too far to quit! We ALL have come to far to go back now!!! We all know that this weight didn't come on in a few weeks and its not going to come off in just a few weeks either...it's going to take time. Today is a new day....give yourself a BIG pat on the back for what you have done for yourself so far and start again!

Melra- It's so good that you posted rather than running out to look for food for a binge. Some days are so hard, especially when work or family isn't going right.
It does feel like it's going to take forever and every pound is a battle. I just keep thinking that for every pound I lose, I could have gained one if I had stayed on the destructive path I've been on for so long.
When things are bad, I try to remember how much worse I would feel if I wasn't doing something about overeating and overweight.
Laura

I agree on both counts-we are all working so hard to accomplish something wonderful here and it was a better choice to post. I do think it sounds hormonal and know that it shall pass. Being a woman bites sometimes. Try your best to keep your mind off the negatives-You can do it!
Melissa

WOW Melissa, You are just knocking off the pounds. It's funny how it doesn't show when you want it to and you are so disappointed, then boom-it's gone. Yea for you Melissa. Keep going.
I need to look nice tomorrow for an opening where I volunteer. I tried on my nicest pants outfit, which had a big rip down the tush, from last time I sqeezed ito it, and it fits fine. I can walk and sit and I sewed it and I don't have to buy something. I hope it will be too big soon. Most important, I like the way it looks so I won't have to feel bad about myself, in front of lots of people tomorrow.
Laura

Laura that is soooo awesome! It will be too big soon and there is nothing that makes a person feel better than knowing that how they are presenting themselves is attractive. I used to go around in baggy sweats and t-shirts with no make up. Now I wear jeans a shirt and put my face on and how it makes me feel is amazing. I have been so excited to finally see things go down again. It seems that for few weeks I was losing and regaining the same few pounds. I actually made kids popcorn the other day and didn't eat any of it and that is a biggy for me. I will have to renew my driver's lisence this birthday and it dawned on me that I will be lower than the lie weight I have used for years. How kewl is that?? Keep going gals-we can do this.
melissa

Hi everyone,
Its been almost a week since I checked in last, I have been so busy, painting and remodeling the bedroom for the past 3 days. Oh and of course, taking care of the 2 yo while trying to paint, ever tried to keep a 2 yo out of paint? FUN FUN...anyway, I have been doing so-so for the past 5 days, I really blew it on Saturday, the tailgating at the Notre Dame game and all the beverages consumed, I knew it was going to be a bad day at 8am when we got there, but I did eat only Subway sandwich and a few chips, but I have tried to get right back on track. Thanks for the input from everyone about the food diary, I do have one, but I absolutely do not log in it regularly like I need to. I am still holding out for at least 2lbs by the end of the month.
I have set a goal also, by Thanksgiving 155lbs..thats 8 lbs. in about 9 weeks. By Christmas 151lbs....and the BIG ONE of course is to be at goal by my BIG #30 IN MARCH....wish me luck, thanks everybody for keeping me motivated also.
CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD SUCCESS LATELY IN INCHES OR POUNDS.... :D :D
http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tracker/img/bar097/slider-woman/lb/163/140/163/.png (http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tracker/index.php)

Melra, just the fact that you logged in here shows you have NOT given up on yourself! Giving up would mean you just quit and we never heard from you again and sat around wondering "where's that Melra chic?" You didn't give up...you can't give up...giving up on yourself means giving up on all of us...come on, you can't give up on US and most importantly you can't give up on YOU. YOU ARE WORTH IT! This period will pass, just hang in there best ya can. As for the soup, drink tons of water and that will help you not hold onto the water due to sodium. The best way to get rid of bloat is to drink more, more water...learned that when I had pre-eclampsia during my first pregnancy. My ankles were so swollen I couldn't walk, couldn't feel my feet at all....see, it could be worse :lol:

I found a workout that totally kicked my a@@ .... sorry, no other way to describe what this did to me. I am sitting here with my hair soaked as if I just took a shower, my shirt soaked, and my heart still racing thought I've been done awhile. I want to start doing this at least 3 days a week because I couldn't finish the last bit today, it might have killed me! It's the sample workout from one of the trainers on Biggest Loser, and it's up on their website, but if you don't want to jump hoops to find it on there, here's my version of it. It was designed for a treadmill or outside workout, but I did it on my gazelle and it worked great. It is part cardio, then part weights, and you're supposed to go directly from the cardio straight into the weights and the weight section should be done without stopping between exercises. I adjusted it some because the times didn't add up as they said it should, so here is my version:

A. 30 Minutes Cardio

1. 5 minute slow warm up
2. 3 minute light jog
3. 1 minute walk
4. 3 minute medium jog
5. 1 minute walk
6. 3 minute intense jog
7. 1 minute walk
8. 5 minute intense jog
9. 1 minute walk
10. 5 minute go as fast as possible
11. 2 minute slow walk to recover

B. 30 Minutes Weights

1. 1 minute push ups
2. 1 minute squats
3. 1 minute shoulder press (medium weight)
4. 1 minute squats & hold weights
5. 1 minute bicep curls (medium weight)
6. 1 minute alternating lunges & hold weights
7. 1 minute tricep dips on chair
8. 1 minute alternating lunges
9. 1 minute lat row rotating arms (heavy weight)
10. 1 minute lunges
11. repeat this circuit 1 more time
12. 7 minutes doing abs & stretching

I can't do push ups on floor, so I do them on the wall, stand kinda back and lean forward and move your hands further and closer apart to work different muscles. It works well until you're strong enough to do them on the floor (learned it from Kathy Smith, she's my fav). Shoulder press is to hold weights at shoulders and lift up over head. I used a chair as someone here suggested for the squats, go down like sitting and back up. Tricep dips are to put hands on edge of a chair and lift your body weight up and down.

Let me know if anyone else does this! It was SO hard for me, but it's a good workout.

Theresa

Alas Theresa you are a better woman than I-I readily admit it. I think I am going to watch for an excersize bike through freecycle though. I could hop on that and get some extra movement in. Between the yard and all the messes ect I clean everyday-I work up quite the sweat.

Michelle you could have done alot worse than subway way lots. The important thing is that you put your focus back where it needs to be and oh yes I know all about toddlers and paint. I have been painting the girls furniture and it has been quite the ordeal to keep them both out of it.

Speaking of painting, need to put another coat on and clean out and vacuum my car Mabel. She is a pit.
Melissa

umm Theresa, I am with Melissa there- although it looks like a kick butt work out It would prolly kill me or at least kick my butt :lol: But I did enjoy the BL2 last night and have checked out website info on it. I may think about incorporating some of the work out- but then I think-- hey if I CAN one day do this I'd be in really good shape... and even though I don't like hard- I do LOVE challenges so maybe I will attempt it??

Melra- OH no you don't girl.. You have come too far to give up-you so rock and you are such a motivational person.. come on you can do it!!!!!!!!
I do understand the feelings though When I read your post, I thought AHA! I am not the only one in a really rotten mood.
Nothing seems to satisfy the cravings I've been having and I have been just plain hungry lately - and I really think I'm NOT hungry I just want to eat, and I just want to eat certain foods-like today all I wanted was peaches and cottage cheese. I ate other things but only really wanted that and last night I wanted sweet but crunchy so I mashed up 1/2 a banana and mixed it with a 1/2cup of SF/FF chocolate pudding and sprinkled a tablespoon of kashi go lean crunch on top . tonight all I want is chicken and tomatoes in a pita.. I am so weird- and I have to get a can of pumpkin mix as those muffins sound so good.. do you think they'd freeze ok??
Congrats to everyone on their successes- even small steps are better than NO steps..I am going to keep telling my self that.
everyone have a great night!!
:strong: me tonight :lol:

yep they freeze fine-I put them in there for the main fact that I knew if they were out, Josh would polish them off in a day. They passed the freezer test here. I just couldn't believe how easy they were and it really satifies the chocolicious factor too.
Melissa

I am making some tomorrow as soon as i buy a can of pumpkin -maybe even tonight I amy have to run to the winn dixie for milk and pumpkin LOL

Hang in there Melra!!! We all have crappy days now and then - but you have come so far...don't stop now!!! You can do it!! oh god do i sound like that freak guy... what is his name...tony little..... icky (sorry if anyone likes him) :tape:

Hope everyone here is far away from Rita, what a horrible summer it has been for storms.

I have pretty much been on track since this horrible past weekend. I have excercised all week too. Have only lost .5 more, but I'm not complaining!!

Keep up the great work!
Melissa those muffins sounds great! Can't wait to try them!

Tonight was another night of eating out. My friends are all so good. They know my DH is away for almost 2 weeks and I am so lonely. We had tomatoes from the garden eggplant parm and green salad. There was also London broil, but I don't eat meat very often. I had the thinnest, tiniest piece of homemade cherry pie for dessert, about 3 spoon fulls, and I didn't eat the crust, so fitday says I'm under 1300 for the day. For me it's a miracle to go to someones house and not feel I have to eat everything in sight and just because my friend made dessert, doesn't mean I have to eat a huge piece.
I started knitting a blanket for the new grandchild due in December. I want to have it ready for the baby shower Oct 23. Knitting is a good way for me to keep my hands busy and out of food.
Melissa- I'm afraid to make the yummy pumpkin things, cause I can't have sweets in the house at all. They call to me and I must run and eat them. Maybe later on.
Laura

Come on Melra!! You just gotta get through this weak spot! We all have them and we feel like we are alone, but just coming in here instead of hitting the fridge shows you have the will to keep going! You have come so far and your goal is within reach! (are we all tony little today??) We are all here for you!

Good for you Laura staying op! You have some really good friends there! Makes me miss mine since I moved :( It takes so long to let new people in your life, or for them to let you in. You all here are really all I have right now! WOW does that make my life sound sad? It's really not! I have 6 great kids and a super wonderful hubby, and I would give up all my friends and other family just to be here with them! OK, sorry I went kinda off there!

I made it through day 21 with no soda!! I can't believe after drinking 2-4 a day that I have made it 3 weeks! WOOHOO! But I tell ya, I have really been thinking about having one! Then I will start my 21 day challenge all over again!

Well, I hope everyone had a great day, I'll check in again tomorrow-after I make those pumpkin/choc muffins!

Kathy

Congratulations on the "no soda" Kathy! I know that's not easy!

Laura, I quilt and it really does help keep me out of the munchies if I'm busy sewing, so keep those knitting needles moving!

I'm really going to have to try those muffins! They sound wonderful and SO easy! Thanks! Does anyone have any idea what the calorie count would be on one muffin?

Merla, how are things going now? You aren't quitting on us are you?

I got right out and walked for an hour this morning. My back really put me behind in exercise...I'm going to really have to work hard to meet this months goal!

my legs are a bit sore today from that workout, so it's just cardio today. I don't really feel anything in my arms, so I think I need to do it with heavier weights next time. The lunges are what got my legs sore...those are tough!

I am feeling nervous and anxious today because so many little things are changing right now, and I don't deal with change well. I like things to be the same unless the change comes within my own control, my own actions that I choose. Right now my hubby is changing everything around and I feel out of control of it and it's making me want to eat. So, I went to the store this AM and got some baby carrots and cucumbers and have been munching on them instead of something fatty. It's just small things, like he changed our auto insurance, is right now changing us to a new bank for all our accounts, bought his motorcycle, etc. Just little things but it makes me feel like eating because it's not changes I would make. I know, I sound like a baby but I just don't deal well with change, even if they are harmless.

Hope everyone has a good day. Where is Melra?? Ohhhh Melllrrraaa! YOu have to come back, no giving up. I"m not giving up on you...so you can't give up on yourself either. Come back and post, even if it's just to say you're alive.

Theresa

melra don't give up! you are doing so well! getting discouraged is a natural part of trying to lose weight.. it never happens as quickly as we hope. but it will happen if you keep on going!
well congratulations to everyone! i have fallen behind on posts and now i can't even remember everyone who had a loss in the last three pages.. melissa, sandi, and laura i know did. hmm, am i missing people? i must be. congrats to all y'all too! melissa, those muffins sound to die for!
luan that is a great idea about the gym! i go to 24 hr too. i think you are only about 20 minutes from me. pm me about it.
well i did a very bad bad bad thing. i went to karaoke with my friends in san diego, and after a few beers, i needed some food on the way back to my friend's house. mexican food is my weakness i think. we were in a taco shop drive through, and my brain was saying "shrimp taco," but my lips said "california burrito." i bet luan knows about this local delicacy (except up in l.a. area, they put beans in it. ick.) :wink: well, i think this burrito has about 1500-2000 calories. huge tortilla, steak, french fries, salsa (usually it's sour cream, but this place was weird). i just gobbled it down, every bite. what was i thinking?!? i have never slipped up this bad on my diet before and i was mortified at myself. even without the burrito, it would have been a bad day calorie wise. my total for monday was 3245 cals (assuming 1500 for the burrito.) well, before my diet, i would eat this sort of thing without even thinking about it. how does anyone in this state stay thin when we have access to these delicious burritos :?: afterward i felt like i had poisoned myself.
well i just got right back on the wagon. another week of ice cream abstinence to make up for my big whoopsee. at least i did not gain any weight. i actually lost a half pound if you can believe it.

Cadwell, you have the perfect attitude. Slip up and just get right back on track, you'll be fine. I saw a big truck today that said "CALDWELL" on the side and I thought of you :lol: I even saw your little picture in my head.

Theresa

Cadwell - LOL i know all too well what you are talking about. I will PM you about the gym! YAY!

Just a quick note as I am baking MUFFINS LOL
I wonder what would happen if I dumped a can of lite cherry pie filling in a cake mix - no eggs etc.. and baked like the choc- pumpkin ones?? I am gonna try it and see what happens ??
I love the attitudes where we know we've messed up but can just jump right back on track!! It makes me KNOW i can continue this without giving up just because I made 1 slip up.
We just scheduled a new picture directory for Feb 06 so I am really gonna be careful- I will NOT be fat in this directory. I don't want to feel icky and depressed during this photo session.
I'll let ya know how the muffins turned out
Sandy

Let me know how they turn out-the only thing I know is it will change calories/points since it will be a filling and therefore sugar added but hey if they are tasty I would be willing to add a point to them.
Melissa

Okay, everyone--I just gotta say that everyone on this thread is wonderful and thank you thank you thank you for all your encouraging posts. I am trying really hard to stay focused but my resolve has just been crumbling lately. I did have a better cardio workout last night than I did earlier this week, but my eating is not so good. After a long time avoiding the breakroom treats, I just couldn't take it anymore and had a treat today after lunch. I am up 2 pounds which means that all the work for the 2 previous weeks just flew out the window. bleh. Today was supposed to be like an all salad day b/c I think my dinner last night (chicken mole' don't get me started --the genius of both chocolate AND mexican food?!? *brilliant*) pushed me waaaay over calories for the day. I should have known better than to make something so good for dinner.

Theresa, I must commend you for choosing the veggies over other things. I am impressed and a bit jealous for your discipline. Your workout sounds like a good one and really close to the one I was/have been/need to get back to doing. It's actually best for you to rest 48hours btw weights b/c your muscles build up during that time. I'm supposed be doing weights 3xs a week right now according to my schedule, but I'm only doing 2 only I'm upping my weight.

LauraB~great job on being able to go to a dinner party and still come out of there with no diet casualties. I will try to channel you when I am at our family dinner--did I tell y'all that my MIL was trained by a gourmet French Chef? And a fastidious size 8? yup.

fancyfrog~You must be so proud of yourself with the soda! Cold turkey! That's awesome. I bet you'll see a dramatic drop in your weight soon--I mean, that's a lot of extra calories per day you've cut out of your diet for 3 straight weeks! Congratulations! I can't wait for your ticker to move!

cadwell~my brain has been telling me all sorts of things lately and my mouth has been totally ignoring it. I have to add on an extra amount of cardio somewhere in my schedule to make up for the treat I just had a few hours ago. I liked your point though that before you never would have thought twice about eating that burrito and now everything is different. I feel like since I started up the weight loss thing again I can't ignore my body anymore...now if that's good or bad...(wink)

melissa~you are doing an amazing job on your Sept goal!

sandisuze~have your "weird" cravings mellowed out? you seem to be handling them pretty well, which is awesome.

suzymc~be careful about your back--don't injure yourself to meet a goal!

I had told myself I was going to do 25min cardio and then weights tonight. Now I gotta figure out how to get an extra 10min cardio in before I have to pick up my little one. I have decided that I am going to add extra minutes to my month as penance for any extra "treats" or calories I consume. I am hoping that will help me avoid them in the first place. I am also going to read through a lot of posts on this site and see if I can shake off this attitude I have right now--talk about cheapskate therapy! I will probably make my Sept exercise minutes, but I don't think I'll make the weight goal. I'll measure myself next week and see if I at least have any inches off.

Thanks again for all your posts...You're all awesome!

Good to hear from you Merla! I was afraid for a minute that we may have lost you, but I can tell you're going to be fine! Hang in there, it's going to get easier!

Sandi, I have a recipe for a chocolate cherry cake like that, but it has two eggs in it.

1 chocolate cake mix (two layer size)
1 21-ounce can cherry pie filling
2 eggs well beaten
1 teaspoon almond extract

It makes a really moist cake, so you may come up with some pretty good muffins without the eggs.

The frosting is what really makes this cake, but we won't even go into that because there is no way that it is low calorie!

Hello Ladies,
I have my puter back know and will read all the posts I missed 6 pages worth tommorow. I just wanted to sya I will be back on track next week, this week is bad. My grandmother who was sick passed away on Saturday so I have been out of town, I went and signed my bankruptcy papers today, and hubby is mopvin out at the end of the month. So yah no good well thought out plan would work this week, but my aunt has joined Curves in another town and is gonna call me three times a week to make sure I go a long distance exercise buddy which is good starting tommorow. It was a total of 5.25 inches I lost, I didnt callculate the thighs twice, LOL. Well ladies I will catch up tommorow on all the posts, while kids are at school and I will have time. take care.

HEY Melra I am glad you posted! Oh yes Chocolate and Mexican YUMMY
I am making a lofat/local version of what used to be a zillion calorie enchaladas saturday. I just changed the hamburger to extra lean and make my own sauce wih no fat and use WWheat tortillas.. saves a zillion calories but tastes GOOD.I only eat red meat once in a blue moon and this weekend will be my blue moon.

The cravings are still weird- I AM NOT PREGO :lol: I think it's my body just adjusting and mentally I am going, "oh poor me I can't eat __________( fill in the blank) so i want something to replace what I can't have.. Tonight was fresh green beans cooked and I added diced tomato, onions and italian dressing- very good.
Suzy- I have made that cake before and the icing is so goood.. ahem I mean bad.. The Pumpkin choco muffins are to die for. the cherry ones need a bit of tweaking. they were ok but maybe I can add egg whites next time. I am gonna figure out calories for muffins on fitday - somewhere I have the Dr. phil calorie book- but I can't seem to find it- there are times i can't check fitday
( ARRGH must check under the bed-Scary!)
Ice- I am sorry to hear of your grandmothers passing- ((( hugs))) I know with all you have going on, if it were me I couldn't even consider dealing with exercise and diet..

I just saw on the news about a earthquake in ca- I hope cadwell and princess are ok..it was north of L.A.

everyone have a good night!!

im good. im in LA right now and didnt feel a thing... hmm.. wonder where it was?

It was on the USA today site it said a 4.7 north of LA - it said at 5:11 p.m. but I don't know if it meant Pacific time or my time good to know you are ok.

it was up in the mountains. i didnt even know anything about it til i read it here. thanks for thinkin of us tho! that was really sweet :)

i didn't feel the earthquake down here. but y'all are sweet for thinking about us. i have been worrying about a big earthquake hitting here ever since the hurricanes in the gulf started getting bad. but 4.7 ain't no thing. kind of reminds me of that ca. cheese commericial where the cows are raving about the "foot massages," but say they don't last long enough.

I feel so foolish--hellooo? Uncontrollable salt and sugar cravings? Crazy unexplainable mood swings? Bloat for the ages? I've managed to go fairly unscathed by hormone craziness the last few months, so it was only a matter of time before I had a meltdown. I think I could have survived the cravings much better if my mood hadn't been so affected. sheesh. My eating has been all over the place.

Workout last night was good though--I got 35 min of cardio and weights in. My abs are really sore today and I don't want to think about lunges ever again...at least until I have to do them again this weekend. Ow!

Glad to see you are back on track Melra-knowing what it is is half the battle. I was playing yo yo with one pound the last couple days and thinking what the heck is going on and plus I just was plain hungry! Well Tom made his appearance last night so other than feeling like crap, I am under control at least. I had lunch with Mom and Grandma today and was completely in control and declined desert and didn't even care about it. Tomorrow is my big girl's second birthday and I feel even more in control since I am the one preparing everything and it is at my house. I really want to make that September goal and there is less than a week left. I can't believe how fast time flies! Hope everyone else is doing well and talk to you later. I have to make icing and try and get most of the muck cleared for company.
melissa

Man where the heck is everyone???? I hope everyone is ok. One pound from my September goal and I am stoked. I am getting closer to that 200 mark. Do you realize I haven't been under that weight for like 9 years? Talk about a waste of life and so many things I wasn't able to do. We have been saving for Disneyland and this will be the first time I can go on the rides-any of the rides because I won't have to worry about not fitting in the seat! My SIL was also able to make it for Amanda's birthday. He is a truck driver for Swift and just finished his training with them so that makes me happy too. I haven't seen him since July right before he left. He is such a good kid makes me sad that my daughter blew it. He has come along so far in the last couple of years. Well I suppose I should start putting things together since I am really not sure what time people are going to start showing up. Post people so I know you are all ok!
Melissa

Hello!

We've been having thunderstorms all morning so I haven't turned the computer on until now. Hope everybody is staying OP and enjoying the weekend!

Another busy week over with. Between all my kids extra activities and all the animals we have around here, I haven't really even had time to even think about eating anything bad. I also haven't had as much time to exercise, though. I've been walking at school on work days and I'm planning on getting some more time on the NordicTrack later on today but this gray dreary day is making me feel sluggish. I'll do it anyway because I know it'll make me feel better.

Well, my sister just got here so I'll try to catch up and post more later...just wanted to check in and say hi and I hope everybody is staying on track! We can all reach our goals!!

KayElle...you're only SIX POUNDS from your goal!!! EEEKKKK! How amazing does that feel? You are SO my inspiration, girl. How do you feel at this weight? Think it'll be maintenance phase next, or do you want to lose more after 150?

Melra, I totally agree about lunges...they are killer! That's what made my legs kill for 2 days after that biggest loser workout. I'm going to do it again tonight I think, now that my legs have recovered.

We have been helping some friends move into the house the last two days, and I am just beat. SO, much work and I wouldn't have done it if they weren't like our best friends ever. Eating has been crazy, since we worked so hard then basically ate at the end of the day...pizza two nights in a row :( I never want to see another pizza in my life, but they were buying for everyone who helped and I didn't complain. I did order myself a salad tonight and only had 1 small corner of the pizza, but I was so hungry from not eating all day I wanted to swallow the entire house when we got home. But, that's over now and back on track in the AM.

I am still at 250...for a month now. So, no chance of meeting the weight loss goal for the month I guess. But, I will meet the exercise goal so that's something.

Theresa

I just found out that on October 29th I will be going to some big party at a beach house with a bunch of people I don't know, in the 20-30 age group. I'm 28, but feel I'll be the fat lady in a crowd of mini skirts and thongs :( Hubby is playing with a band so I HAVE to go, come one like I trust him THAT much :lol: Now I'm on a mission. I have a month to knock some of this weight off and feel better about myself. Of course, can't loose enough to feel good in this situation, but I have to try my best. I just hate going to these things because I am so much heavier than everyone else, but I should feel better this time because I am making progress.

Theresa

omg I am so tired--another art fair this weekend and standing all day from 7:30am to 7:30pm. I had a hot dog all day. Feet hurt too bad to fix dinner and i can't even think about the exercise I was going to try to get in tonight. dh has been building a deck all day so I know he's not doing it. maybe i can get the 7 year old to get mama something to eat? lol.

Melissa~You are doing such a wonderful job toward your goal-Congratulations! I can't imagine how good about yourself you must feel right now! Keep it up!

Theresa~I always feel a bit embarrassed to admit how much vanity plays a part in my weight loss goals, but really I just want to be the one that looks good instead of the one trying to camoflauge myself. You have a month and you've been doing great on the exercise. You can make a difference! If your concerned about being on a plateau, maybe you could post your daily diet and we could offer feedback?

I'm not very disciplined with my diet right now. I don't feel like binging anymore, but I just don't want to taste a salad. I think I'm just too tired to bother with it lately and I'm more for convenience. I know I need to shape up though--figuratively and literally--esp if I want to even come close to my mini-goal. It seems so far away!

I'm here :wave: Just been crazed a bit and need to catch up. Sorry if I whine in this post.. I will try to be more positive But not tonight.. LOL
Yesterday (friday) was a BAD day- I ate so great all day until the truck broke down. Let me digress here a minute.. we have two vehicles but my hubby is rebuilding the engine on the one little by little as we can afford it. so when the truck broke it just kinda stunk.. he borrowed a car from his boss came and got me so I could get kids from school and he knew it was the starter and he could put in a rebuilt one for under 70.00 in about 30 minutes. well last night I was in such a mood because the auto store closes at noon on a Saturday and how to get there etc.. let alone 70.00 not really in the budget for the week.. and worry worry worry, worry about my oldest daughter again, worry about hubby's company and maybe layoffs.... so back to last night - I started nibbling.. and kept on nibbling.. and nibbled more.. so I kinda blew it last night and today wasn't so great either cause he thought the flywheel was gone too which would have been only 60.00 more but a heck of alot of trouble for him..and of course we fussed at each other - not a fight just a fuss.. so i just x'd out my food diary for the day and said onward to tomorrow.. but it wasn't the flywheel and the truck is up and running again. I am so thankful my hubby can work on cars.. but annoyed and MAD at myself for not handling something so minor better.
tomorrow is NOT a good day either. I have a totally full schedule and not enough time to accomplish what I need to do. this is the Sunday that once a month I have to work from 4 to 6 p.m. and it just throws off my schedule.
I hate when I have to rush around.
I'll be back to read posts better - sorry i am in a mood tonight..thanks for letting me vent..

I'm here too! :wave: This dang pc is still having fits. It lets me on for a few minutes and then freezes, acts like I'm disconnected? Then sometimes I can be on for hours? I can't wait till next month and a nice new pc :D

Melissa-Good going on your Sept goal! I can't wait to see 200 also, its been at least 15 years for me! I'm glad your SIL could make it to Amandas party. Good to hear that he's doing so well for himself. I hope Amandas party went well-Tell her 6 kids from Nevada said-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA!!:queen:
:woo: :hb: :flow1: :flow2: :dancer: :balloons:

Kayelle- 6 pounds?!?! Oh, I so wish I were that close! Awesome job!

Theresa- Just give it time! When you are eating right and doing so much exercise, the weight has to come off! One day it will surprise you! Maybe right before the party :D Good Luck!

Melra-Good luck with the 7 year old :lol: It's got to be easier than trying to get my 17 yo son to do ANYTHING! :lol: I hope someone feeds you!

Sandisuze-Sorry about your weekend. I hope things are better now that your vehicle is fixed. Just take time to take a long deep breath and take care of yourself, don't get stressed!
Kinda hypocritical of me to say don't get stressed after my day! We have only been in this house 1 month(renting) and the real estate agent called today and wants an appointment to show the house on Monday :( There are not that many houses in this town to rent, I don't know where I will move if these people make an offer on the house. :stress: I've been cleaning all day so that they have a good impression, but I really just want to knock a couple holes in the walls and mess things up so that they don't want the house!! ;) The owner is really nice and said he would sell it to us first, but we have bad credit and it will be at least 6 months before we could do anything, so I don't know what to do. I didn't eat though, I think my stomach is too upset thinking about having to move again! It would be the 3rd time this year :cry: ! But if God wants us to move, he will provide us a house! I have to have faith!

I hope everyone has a GREAT tomorrow!!!

Kathy

Kathy, you are in a tough situation when it comes to selling a house and having nowhere else to go. You're doing great not eating out of stress. THink about it, what will packing on a couple pounds solve anyway? NOTHING. Keep cleaning girl...that burns calories!

Melra, my main reason for doing this is for myself but part of that is feeling confident and secure when around others...liking myself enough to be around others and feel I deserve their attention and respect. That is why I am sweating over this party. Doesn't help that I won't know anyone there but the band and I"m a shy person...could you guys believe I am shy in real life? :lol: Hubbies best friend is in the band too and I think his girlfriend will be there, and she's 7 months pregnant so I can hang out with her ;)

Sandi, my hubby fixes our cars as well and he's a godsend. I never have to go to the shop, just whine to him. It's wonderful, except when he's out on the road and I ahve a few days before he comes in, then I have to call FIL who is a mechanic by trade.

My back is seriously out of whack today guys. I'll have to go to the doctor. I did way too much cleaning in the house yesterday and finally it just gave out. I laid down and couldn't get back up it hurt so darn bad. Hubby fixed me up and I"m better today, but laying low. I'll cut calories down some and skip exercise :( this doesn't help get the scale unstuck, but with low calories it might be okay.
Theresa

I have been awol for a few days. Youngest son was acting up again, fighting with his new wife and she comes crying to me, and he doesn't answer the phone and when he does they say awful things to each other. And I worry that he is DUI. He won't admit that he needs help to deal with anger and when the craziness starts she knows just what to say to make it worse, so round and round we go. DH has been away for 12 days, so I am alone with this worry. Last night they got back together, spent the night here and just left. DH is expected any minute so maybe my life with resume in a normal way.
I only slipped of once and had a big dish of ice cream to calm my insanity. I didn't eat lunch or supper, so maybe calorie wise, I won't gain. I am not feeling guilty. I bought 2 containers of icecream, went over to my friend's house, and we sat and ate and talked for a long time. I had never confided any of my troubles to her before, and she was wonderful and helped me sort out some of my feelings towards my kids and what am I responsible for when they act out. So I feel better.
DH is returning to a completely messed up house and I don't care.
This was a big whine. Sorry.
Laura

Sunday is weigh in day for me and I'm down another pound! :cp:

Congratulations to everyone who has had a loss this week and a great big KEEP GOING to you if you didn't lose!

Well yesterday was a huge success and everyone had a good time. The scale stayed the same this morning so that was the bonus. Congrats suzy for another one gone! I am still trying to get the house back together and I will have this to do again in just a couple weeks when Odessa turns 3. I have two 2 yr olds at the moment.

I feel for you Laura with kids-like I always say it is much harder to be the parent of an adult child than any number of smaller children. Hard boundary to stay in or out of and most of the time we have to sit and watch even when we know they are making terrible life choices. One never stops being a mother no matter how old our children get. We all get our whines once in awhile-needs to be done.

I may be a bit awol myself. My son gave us all his cold and so most everyone is super cranky and I feel crappy myself. Tom and a cold-gotta love it. Everyone keep up the momentum here-we are winding down to the end of the month.
Melissa

Ohhh Melissa, did you have to remind me it's the end of the month already? I am still pouting I haven't lost a single pound ALL MONTH LONG. But it's okay, I'm still motivated to stay on track thanks to you all...without this group and seeing that it IS possible, this is about the time I would get frustrated and quit. Not going to do that this time, no way, I'm in for the long haul, frustrations and all.

Okay, I think I believe myself now, back to work. I'm giving away the leftovers from our yard sale to Freecycle and have had people in and out of here all day...it's as tiresome as having a yard sale, except this way I have to sort out who is coming for what and have it ready. It would have been easier to haul it to goodwill, but the garage is almost all cleared out and it looks so much nicer. I like giving stuff to people who need it, so Freecycle is fun. A girl came by collecting stuff for her church, they have an outreach program to the poor and homeless, and I was able to give her a ton of kids clothes, shoes, board games and books to take to them. So, I feel I've done some good today even if the scale still says 250.

Hubby suggested I take an Aleve for the back and it's been a miracle, I feel like it's not even hurt!

Theresa

Hi kids!

still here.not a very productive member but I think that's gonna be my new goal. I have been trying to make EVERYONE around me happy and it isn't working anyway so I might as well set aside some time to make me happy ya know.

I'll probably be reading more than posting though so I can catch up on what everyone here is doing.

I am going to Vegas with my two best girlfriend on the 24th of October and I REALLY wanna be down at least 20 lbs. putting me at 154. If I weighed 154 pounds I'd probably cry off at least another 4lbs just out of sheer happiness. I probably weighed that in junior high!

VEGAS VEGAS VEGAS VEGAS!

I can't wait!

Carrie

You know...I havent been perfect on this diet thing...far from it but I'm still trucking and after reading a bunch of these posts I am realizing I am not a big fat failure like I was feeling. Setbacks are just part of the journey, it's obviously just how you respond to them that makes the difference. I am proud of all of you and of me! We really ARE doin good!

Well, today is weigh-in day for me and I can't believe I FORGOT to weigh myself this morning! That NEVER happens! We got a new horse last night and it all came about so unexpectedly and fast and this morning when I woke up all I wanted to do was get out there and spend some time with her and I completely forgot about the scale! I only weigh right away when I get up so if I miss it then I don't do it at all for the day. It is TOM and I'm probably due for a little plateau anyway because I've been losing steadily for quite a few weeks now, so it was probably a good day to forget anyway.

I am still in shock that I'm so close to my goal, and to answer the question of whether or not I'll set a lower goal or stick with 150...well I'm pretty sure I'll stick with 150. Honestly right now I don't even know why I am so stuck on 150. I think I just have it in my head that is the weight I want to be so I keep working towards it. My husband is telling me I better start eating more because he can't afford to keep buying me clothes. I bought tons of 8's because that was my goal size...then they started getting too big and I bought a bunch of 6's. Now most of them are baggy. Tried on a few things in town earlier today and I am fitting in 4's!! I didn't even think my bones could fit in a size 4! The bad thing is it's hard to find 4's in long lengths and I won't wear anything that's not long on me. So I think I will try to stay right around 150 without going much below or above. I also found out I can no longer wear anything that says relaxed fit or easy fit...they just poof out and look goofy. That used to be all I ever looked for. And I love low-rise jeans now! I never even owned a pair before. It's so weird to be able to fit into the things that I am but it feels so amazing. All I can say to everybody that's struggling is don't give up because it is SO worth all the hard work. I don't ever remember feeling so good about myself and having so much confidence. If I can do this, anybody can do this. It's hard but all I did was just make up my mind that I was going to do it no matter what, no excuses, and stick to it no matter how I was feeling. A year ago right now I was wearing 22W's and they were snug...I can't even believe all the changes I made, inside and out, in less than a year. We can ALL do it. One thing I think, though, is that in order to lose weight a person has to quit beating themselves up for being overweight in the first place. Being heavy does not make a person ugly, bad, or unworthy. All along the way I had to keep telling myself that "I am worth it" until I finally believed it. I still have times where I think I'm not pretty enough, not funny enough, too shy, etc., but recognizing it and pulling myself out of those feelings has really helped me with the weight loss. It's easy to fill up your body with junk when you don't like yourself much. Self esteem has been a huge issue for me.

Something else I've noticed...this is the second month in a row that I've had a very light TOM with no cramping. I'm hoping that it's a long term benefit of the weight loss and not just a lucky couple of months. Normally I can always count on feeling pretty rotten for a day or two but it just hasn't been happening that way lately. Keeping my fingers crossed that it stays this way.

Theresa...I've had some really long plateaus along the way, followed by a big loss over a short amount of time, so don't let the "stuck scale" get you down. Stick with it and it will eventually move.

melra...a tiring weekend can really throw things off, just do what you can and you'll get through it. Hang in there and keep trying...the only way you can fail is to give up, and you are NOT going to give up, so you can only succeed.

sandisuze...hope you had a better day today. Glad the truck is up and running and I'm sure next time you'll be able to recognize and resist the stress nibbling. You can do this!

fancyfrog...sorry to hear about your house situation. My family was in that same predicament a few years ago and we were just distraught over it but it ended up being one of the best things that ever happened to us because we were able to buy the farm where I grew up and fix the house up and move into it. Hopefully something good will come of this upsetting situation for you, too.

LauraB...You can whine all you want here! That didn't really sound like you were whining anyway. I'm glad you were able to talk to somebody about everything and that you feel better.

Congratulations SuzyMc on the loss! That's awesome! Whoohoo!

Glad the party went well, Melissa, and congrats on keeping the scale the same through it! Hope you are feeling better soon and the cold doesn't last long.

You are right carrie-I think so many times we give up because of a flub and feel guilty blah blah blah when if we just shrug it off and get going again, the flubs become fewer and before you know it, you are at your goal weight and feeling awesome! I was thinking about this the other day. Do you think thin people never overeat? Of course they do! But and this is the biggy-they don't spend the next two weeks or months or years beating themselves up over it and go back to their normal way of eating which is why they don't get fat. I think that is a big key and why we are all still here and we are seeing differences in how we look and feel. I ate a bit more than I needed to yesterday but I never felt guilty about it and went right back to the way I eat today-well not really cause all I managed to eat today was some toast and an apple but only because I feel lousy.

KayElle I am so excited for you and can't wait to be standing where you are! I started out one pound more than you did and in high school I was 154 but very active so it didn't matter much what I ate. I got excited because for the first time when I renew my driver's lisence in February, I will actually be lower than my lie weight when I did it last time.

We are all going to do this!
Melissa

drivers license lie weight! lol! That made me laugh because we sooooo all do that!

I work at 911 and we always joke when we read off weights to officers to remember to add 25 lbs for women!

Ok I am SURE this has been addressed but what exactly IS the weight loss plan everyone is following? I can't seem to decide what I'm doing. Basically I just stay under 1200 calories but I don't think I'm always making the best choices for those calories.

???

Carrie

Carrie, I don't think any of us are following exactly the same plan and the important thing is to keep trying until you find something that works for you and that you can live with forever. For me, low fat and high fiber has been the way to go. I have always had a real problem with sweets so I eat a LOT of fruit to keep my cravings in check and it's worked very well for me. I also can't deal with feeling hungry all the time so I choose foods that I can eat a lot of, for not a lot of calories so that I can always eat enough to be satisfied and never have to feel like I need to starve to lose weight. Everyone here has lots of great ideas and we are all doing our own thing for the most part, it's just a matter of tailoring your plan to meet your own specific needs and finding out what works for you and what doesn't. Good luck and just keep trying until you find what works!

Oh, my gosh! I hadn't even thought about the driver's license lie! Mine says 200! That was a lot more than a 25 pound lie at the time! Too funny!! I better not get pulled over any time soon...that picture doesn't even look remotely like me.

testing out this signature business...

Well back to a new week and new goals. Curves 3 times a week, and 5, 3km walks. Hopefully this will be a better week. I know I can do it. :cheer:

So far this month I have went to Curves 3 times
and walked 5 times, not any where near my goal but has been a bad month hopefully October will be way better with life and the exercise. Octobers goal will be 13 Curves work outs and 21 walks, and to lose at least five punds.


I haven't posted my inches lost so here it is
August 11-05 September 12-05
Bust 52.25 51.00 Down 1.25
Waist 47.25 45.75 Down 1.50
Abdomen 54.50 53.25 Down 1.25
Hips 52.50 52.25 Down 0.25
Thighs 31.75 31.25 Down 1.00 X 2 for each thigh
Arms 16.00 16.00 Same
Weight 264.25 263.25 Down 1
Body Fat % 43.80 43.30 Down 0.50%

Hopefully we will se more of a decrease in Octobers weigh in, probaly the 10th cause thats a Monday.

KayElle, thank you so much for posting what it is like to be skinny and healthy again. I connect with you because your starting weight is about where I am now, and my goal weight is also 150...though I have a different build and will not be a size 4 when I get there :lol: I have never been a size 4, but when I was 150 I think I was an 8 because I have "childbearing hips" as my mom calls them. I just want to be back there again! You are my living proof that this is possible. I feel sometimes like it is impossible, which I know is why I struggle so much. I feel I'm aiming for something that just cannot happen...but then I see you post here and that thinking is challenged. So, thank you very much!

The scale was down a pound today :D I'm hoping it will stick around until weigh in on Friday.

About diets, I love the South Beach plan and could stick to that for the rest of my life, no problem. But, I am just counting calories and limiting calories from fat right now, because we can't afford to buy special food for me and then feed the kids and hubby on top of it. South Beach is too strict in some ways for the little ones, and it's just easier if we are all eating the same thing, and I just keep my portions under control and watch calories. Soon as I can though, I'm going to the South Beach.

Theresa

Hi everyone! I'm doing much much better on eating today and I haven't had any cravings yet. I'm hoping I didn't do too much damage with my recent diet departure. I've got a 5k run I'm supposed to be doing this Sat morning and I'm really nervous about it and I will likely have to walk out some of it. I'll see how far I get tonight on the treadmill--I'm hoping I get at least 2.5mi. I've also got to get some weights in tonight--lunges and squats and abs, oh my!

kayelle, you are awesome! i am so happy for you that you are almost at your goal!
i only subtracted 10 lbs to my driver license lie weight, so now i am almost 25 lbs lighter than it says. i think when i get to my goal i will order a new one :) even now, i am 20 lbs less than what it says on the first license i ever had, at 17.
glad you are feeling better melra. i hate those days when cravings rule and exercise is too hard.
i have been creeping up on my calories so i need to cut that out. nothing as dramatic as the burrito incident this week, but not too good either.
hope everyone has a great day!

Right after my last post this afternoon, I got on the gazelle and hit the half mile mark when I heard my daughter gasping for air while coughing herself half to death....got off, called doctor's office, then off we went rushing to make an appointment 20 minutes away with a 30 minute drive time. She has croup and can't go back to school until her fever is gone. Oh joy! Tyler will have it next, then it will be my turn :^: BUT, I didn't get the last little bug she brought in from school so maybe this healtheir lifestyle will save me this one as well...I can only hope and pray.

Theresa

There must have been something in the air lately cause I feel much better too and my evil mood is gone.. Eating this weekend wasn't the best but the scale didn't move up so that's all good and I took out some aggression and irritation on the :ebike:
Theresa- have you measured yourself?? I was told today by a trainer who works at the local gym that you can lose inches without losing pounds? Now how true that is I don't know- now these are MY words not his exact words- but as I understood it you redistribute weight when exercising and eating healthy. But who knows if what he was saying was correct?? I can see a difference in my waist but not in my ab area and my back is just not as "bulgy". Yesterday my hubby told me that the shirt I was wearing wasn't all that flattering anymore - it just was too baggy and hung on me. NOT that I would wear tight clothes anyway. But baggy??
I like SBD too but no way would my family agree to it - I use some tips/recipes from it and enjoy.

I was all depressed about not losing 10 pounds or more this month - I mean in my weird mind I should be able to take off 2-3 or more lbs a week if I work hard enough etc.. but I realize that almost 4 pounds is good - I can meet the group goal and I exercised this month. so I agree NO beating up on one's self when a flub happens.

Kayelle- A 4 WOW! That is so awesome.. my DL pic is so bad I will gladly pay the 10.00 to have a replacement one done.

Hi to everyone else :wave:

I have decided that every accomplishment -no matter how small of an accomplishment it may be -it's still an accomplishment. I am going to celebrate everyone of them!:dance:
i hope everyone has a great night !

but, have been off plan for about four days!!! :(
My birthday was Friday, and boy I feel like I haven't stopped eating since! :mad:
Two cakes Friday at work, then a friend brought one over on Friday night (I actually haven't touched that one myself).
I have been trying to exercise pretty regularly - but I know that I need to really buckle down and get back on track in both the exercise and food dept.

Congrats to all who have lost poulds/inches!!!

Tommorrow is another day!!

Keep going StillTrying...just get back OP and keep going, going, going. The only way to fail at this is to quit, and you are not going to do that. I think someone else said this here in the last day or two, but I'm saying it again. NEVER QUIT!!

I just realized why I'm not losing weight this month :( I've only gone 49 miles and my eating has been off, sometimes more than others. No way to lose when you're not doing enough to get there. I did 100 miles exactly last month, but I'm not going to be anywhere near that this month. The only goal I met this month will be the group exercise goal. All my personal goals...down the drain :( It's okay because I am back on track right NOW. I was going to say I'll get back on track in October, but NO, I am back on track NOW. No waiting, putting it off, I'm back. The exercise has got to pump up again and the eating will be strictly monitored again. I just can't do it without that right now.

Theresa

stilltrying~ keep at it and don't give up. I read a comment in this month's Shape magazine that said as long as we are on program 80% of the time, we would see results. The other 20% is for pms, cravings, special events, etc.

theresa~I hope your little one gets better soon--I hate hearing that gasping coughing from my daughter when she gets sick, just makes me hurt for her.
I've been looking very closely at my eating and exercising too and I think I've become more complacent than I thought. I love that you're not giving up on Sept yet.

Here's something I just reminded myself of today: All it takes is 500 calories less every day for a pound a week loss. That is totally achievable esp. with the exercise minutes we are all posting. I am going to start reminding myself of that simple little fact every day. I have realized that I fall apart almost every weekend--sometimes really bad, sometimes just a bad choice or two, but those 2 days have the potential to undo everything I've done all week and then I feel like I have to play catch up on Mon.

Sandisuze~ what that guy said makes total sense b/c muscle is more dense than fat, so if you are burning fat and building muscle, you will definitely get those inches down. somewhere on this site is a pic of 5lb of fat vs 5 lb of muscle and it's disgusting. I don't even care that much what my weight is, I just want to be less voluminous.

I wanted to share my little success: I made my running goal for Sept tonight! I ran 3miles in 34min.! I really had to push my way through the last mile and I love that the treadmill broke it down for me every 2 min by telling me how far I had to go. I looked a total mess when I was done too. whew! I am so proud of myself though--I didn't think I'd make it that far today and I was aiming for 2.5. yay! Also, my eating was A-okay today.!

well i have some good news and bad news about my diet. the good news is that the left side of my mouth, from my ear all the way down to my throat, is throbbing right now because of my !@#$% wisdom tooth, so i can't really eat. at least not if i don't absolutely have to. the bad news is that because of this excruciating pain i am not caring so much about the gym tonight. kick in ibuprofen, dang it!!

Cadwell - shh i know your real name.. lol that sucks about your wisdom tooth. i had mine out about 6 years ago. it was horrible, but im glad i got it done. mine were growing forward twards my other teeth rather than up and out through my gum like normal. i will spare you the horror story, but i was traumatized pretty badly. still tho, im glad i did it. hope you are feeling better soon!!

cadwell~that does suck! liquid diet now?
princess~I just noticed your weekly goal in your signature--I love it! I think I might copy you next month!

thanks. it was to motivate some friends on another thread. unfortunately, i havent been able to get to the gym thanks to this damn cold... blah.

Sandisuze, it is true you can lose inches while the scale stays the same, and even while the scale goes up some, since muscle weighs more but takes up less room (that's how it was put to me). I measure on the first of the month, so we'll see. Really, it's just that I haven't been trying so hard so I might not have even lost inches.

Allie is still sick, Tyler is fussy, but I am determined to get in lots of exercise today. The gazelle is going to be my best friend. I decided last night that not meeting any of my personal goals for the month is just not acceptable. I have to do 15 miles a day at this point to finish milestone 5 on my virtual walk, which was my exercise goal for the month. I told hubby I am going to do it! I've done 10 miles a day no problem, I can slip in another 5 by getting on the gazelle instead of cleaning the house for the next four days. Hubby wasn't happy with that :lol: but I am determined, one way or another I MUST meet this goal, or I will not be happy with myself.

I know, I know, it is a LOT of exercise, but I am going to try my hardest. I'm going to take all those moments during the day I'm just standing around or sitting and staring a the TV, and I'm going get on the gazelle instead, and see how many miles that adds to the day. Can't hurt to try, and I really feel I just have to meet at least one personal goal. Hey, it might make me think twice about skipping workouts next month.

Theresa

I feel for you Theresa, although it hasn't been croup here, there has been lots of runny noses, coughing, and just plain crankiness and it hit me too. I am finally able to breathe out of my nose today though.

Sorry to hear about your wisdom teeth Cadwell. I was 21 when I got mine removed as they were growing straight out the side of my gums. I remember mom said oh come over and I will fix you dinner and she served raw broccoli salad ROFL. She has a knack for that kind of thing and now we just laugh about it.

I have been very stressed because of neighbor kids. Their dad came over saturday and asked that josh not ride his bike on their street and HIS kids for the last three days have been riding in front of my house, circling and heckling joshua so I went over there and had it out with her but I am not sure how far it got me. Her brat of a kid stood there and lied about doing it too. I asked the mother if she allowed her kids to trip blind children and tip wheelchairs too I was so stinking mad. My son is in his yard minding his own business and then they come by and heckle him and I have to calm him down 5-8 times while they keep riding by. Just irritates me to no end I tell you. They were even rude while we were trying to have Amandas party on Saturday and my guests couldn't believe how rotten those kids were and my SIL had to grab Josh 3 times because he was going to go after them. It is all just so stinking stupid. I am looking forward to buying something out in the country and hopefully it will be in the next couple of years. I guess I could go squat on one of my brothers 46 acres but there is no plumbing, phone, or electricity out there and I don't do that well.

I am off to go rake up more leaves and pine needles. Last year I waited and it was such a chore so now I go out every 3 days and it doesn't kill me off and I will hopefully get Amanda's dresser painted too. Check in is in 4 days!
Melissa

Melissa, sorry about your neighbors. Sounds like a miserable situation to live in. I can't believe the parents chose to believe their lying children over you. You would have no other reason to go over there and talk to them, if it weren't true. You have no reason to just go tell lies on some kids to their parents, come on. Some parents need to wake up big time. From the sound of it, something will happen some day that they can't deny and it will be too late. Sad. Hope it gets better.

Theresa

Melissa-Kids can be so nasty. We lived next door to a big time judge and his miserable brat would blow up my mailbox with giant firecrackers and the parents would say"not my darling" while the miserable brat stood behind them and stuck his tongue out at me. Once I went weeks without car insurance cause he dumped my mail in the stream and I didn't get the bill, so I didn't pay it till I realized it had been a while and I called the insurance co and they told me I had been dropped for not paying. Josh doesn't deserve nasty twits bothering him and you've got enough to do.

I just rode my bike on the road for 5 1/2 miles. Some of it was walking cause I just can't get up all those hills. The downs are great, but the ups are so hard. I don't think it matters tho, cause 5 1/2 miles counts anyway I do it. My legs hurt, but it's ok. The weather her is just gorgeous, 70 and sunny with a breeze. Perfect for biking.

Food hasn't been great. I am worrying and stressed and sometimes I give in to a nibble here and there which isn't good. My DH is home again after almost 2 weeks so I'm cooking again and that is better than eating out with friends. I wish I could stop worrying, but I would have to grab my grownup brainless kids and tie them up in my house so they couldn't do anything stupid and then I wouldn't worry, but I don't think that will work. So ladies with little ones, enjoy them now, cause when they get older they go thru a stupid time, at least mine all do.
Laura

ooooo Wisdom teeth- you have my deepest sympathies on the pain.

I also understand about stressful neighbors... we have been here going on 6 years and we've had some really good neighbors and then there's the neighbors from you know where. the place next to us is sitting empty and I shudder at what may move in as the owners of that duplex do not seem to rent to nice people. we've had the "pot smoking fiends" as we called them- dealing and smoking it on their front porch- we've had the family who's kids did some type of devil worship stuff in the back yard, the felon in hiding guy who was hiding from the cops and the last family left trash all over and played really bad loud music, and had would have family fist fights on a regular basis. The owners are supposed to be there Saturday and they will get an earful from me ! We are so lucky our landlords are super
My little one is all runny nose and coughing but thats allergies for her- time to break out the allegra. I'm sorry some of you have sick kids.
Thanks for the answer to the lose inches but not pounds question.
Laura - I am jealous of your nice weather ;) it's still a LOVELY 98 down here. Good going on the bike ride! and I AGREE- little ones are so great- grown up kids are well... JOKINGLY my hubby says when our youngest is 18 we are going into the witness protection program to hide from them. I guess I wasn't prepared for all this as we never had the teen issues most parents go thru- she was such a quiet, polite and sweet kid and boom she goes to college and all heck breaks loose.

I hope this post isn't too long but I need to share this too-
in the last 2 months I HAVEN'T HAD:
Fast food meals (except a plain graden salad and the italian calzone night)
SODA either diet or regular
mashed/ white potatoes, italian bread, wonder bread, PB&J, pretzels,
chips ( i did have 1 handful of baked lays last week),
cookies (except a few 100 calorie packs of thin crisps)
I HAVE in the last 2 months:
Exercised more than I have in the last 2+ years
Drank more water than I have in the last 2+ years
Ate more fruit and veggies than i have in the past 2+ years
Ate foods that were healthy for me , tried new foods like real oatmeal
Been honest about my struggles and temptations-
accepted the fact that I have trigger foods - I AM addicted to certain foods
Made wonderful new friends who care about each other:grouphug:

:bravo: to everyone for each success no matter how small !

You have done terrific Sandi. Do you think there is a witness protection program on a nice Carribean island, preferably a resort so I don't have to cook and clean? I'd probably last a month and then be bored and back in the fray.
Laura

sandi! GOOD JOB! That is a lot to be proud of!

Cadwell- ugggggg on the wisdom teeth-way to look on the brightside!

Melissa-sometimes people suck.

Theresa- hope things get healthier around there! being sick sucks.

In my world...things not perfect. I really don't know what's wrong with me. I do NOT want to be the failure. ugg.

Carrie

Oh see that dog to the left? She's my newest baby , Cashmere, She's 5.5 months old and 65 lbs now (Neopolitan Mastiff) and today I REALLY needed to give her a bath but she HATES HATES HATES water.

I hoisted her big fat bottom into the water then had to brawl with her to scrub her down. It was an absolute CATASTROPHE! There was water dripping from the walls, the shelves, the floors and of course, I was SOAKED!

I really wish she liked water better...also she keeps peeing when we pet her! That is why she needs baths so much. Any buddy out there with dog advice?

carrie

You are NOT a failure. Remember this is a journey and there are going to be ups and downs. You haven't quit-you are just going through a rough patch and I think I can speak for all of us that we have all had them and will probably have more before we are done. You can do this Carrie!
Melissa

carrie one thing I have learned is NOT to compare yourself to others - EVERYONE IS different. If I compared myself to others in this wonderful group, I wouldn't be doing this for ME and thats the important reason (at least to me it is) You are NOT a failure. even small accomplishments are good ones. things like getting out of bed and eating breakfast was a success for me. Posting here is a success for you! DON'T QUIT! As Melissa says lots of ups and downs in life- YOU CAN DO IT!!!! I mean you've LOST 44 lbs- I am amazed at anyone who can lose weight like that!
Laura, I am all for the island Idea But would be afraid cell service would work there and they'd find me ...
Sandi

EVERYONE IS different. If I compared myself to others in this wonderful group, I wouldn't be doing this for ME and thats the important reason (at least to me it is) Sandi
Thank you so much for posting that I really wish everyone could see how unique and special they are in their own right. Usually when I post ,I post
from my own experience and what works for me but what works for me
may not work for someone else. I think the important thing is for everyone
to be the best that they can be. :)
reach your dreams all

You are so right Sandisuze. We are each born a unique person with different needs ect. Right now mostly life is up for me except for dealing with stupidity(others of course). Like just a bit ago. I told my ex on sept 7 not to call me anymore and there was nothing we had to discuss-I am just done and yet again not 30 min ago he is calling me again and trying to talk to me through joshua. I hung up the phone. That kind of thing just makes me mad to put him in the middle of it. I do believe I will have to block his number to avoid this in the future. It took me just until a bit ago to get josh to quit calling me nasty names and telling me I am evil and there is something wrong with me (those are ex phrases not his). Times like this used to send me into orbit and I would eat everything not nailed down but instead I started cleaning things. We all have little tricks ect we play with ourselves and the biggest one is to find what works for you. I know we have a quilter here, cleaners, walkers, bike riders, ect. We found what works for each of us.

As far as puppy issue. I used to bathe my Rotti outside since he wasn't wild about water either. Kind of like how Tom Hanks did it in Turner and Hooch. I still got wet but at least the water was outside and not all over my bathroom floor.
Melissa

Well I'm glad I can inspire. LOL
I have a goal to meet of losing 70 lbs by April (about 10lbs per month) because I am going for a breast reduction and a lift, so the more I can lose now the better. I just need to get over my little mid life crisis and focus, focus, focus. Next week is a new week, a new month, a new life, a new journey. I am going to take control and do it the right way and my way.

Ok I am jealous of the breast reduction. I think if I get to my goal of 130 and I still have these gigantic jugs I am going to have to seduce my dr into making a breast reduction referral!

I am a 36dd at the moment and on a 5'0' frame at 130 (or preferably less) 36 dd is obscene. **** it's obscene now.

How did you come to the cement decision to get a breast reduction?

Carrie

Sandi-thank you SOOOO much for saying that I was meeting one of my goals by posting again! I don't know why but that made me feel really good! You're right it's quite a trick for me to get on here and post and actually follow what is going on with everyone. THANKS!

-Carrie

p.s. on a random sidenote: I really like this biggest loser show!

sandisuze~I love your list and thank you soo much for posting all that! With all the posts we have on this thread it seems so easy to forget who's accomplished what and seeing your list underscores all the successes that are not just tied to scale numbers. You've done quite a bit in the last 2 months, that's for sure!

laurab~great job on the bike ride! And your right-even walking your bike up the hills counts because it's still work! Congrats on pushing yourself--soon enough those mountains will be molehills!

i am jealous of the breast reduction. I once went in for a consultation, but the dr. basically said I should get in a normal bmi first and even then it cost waaaaay too much and that was years ago. I've already let my husband know though that I plan on setting aside money for it as soon as my weight is down and you know, we actually have extra money to get it done. By then they might not need to be reduced so much as yanked back up! :D

Well, I did my workout tonight but it was shorter than I wanted--my turn to drive dd to dance class. I did crunches on the incline bench--ouch! Burn! I could only get 20 in and my abs already hurt. Tomorrow my goal is 45 min of cardio and I'm going to try to match the run I had last night since my 5k is on Sat. :yikes:

My eating was good today but I think I need to spread my calories out better tomorrow--big dinner. I also had 2 glasses of red wine at dinner tonight. On our (finally!) repaired deck! yay! we will be sanding staining and sealing it this week as well. take care everyone--think lite thoughts! :D

I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT :cb: I am so doing the happy dance today. I will come back and post after I get the little man off to school and get a shower in.
Melissa

Okay Melissa, you got me confused...what did you do, girl? I want to happy dance with ya...but I don't know what I'm dancing for :lol:

I have been really upset with myself that I have just totally slacked off this month. I've only done half the miles I did in August, eating has been irratic and unfocused, and I just haven't tried hard. Today I sat down and had a good think about it, and realized that I haven't slacked off, this month has just been busier with my other committments.

1. In August, I pushed off my writing to exercise, but this month I've been back into that since it is my part-time job, so of course the miles had to suffer. It's not slacking...I've been working!

2. The kids have been sick pretty much all month long, since Allie started school, so that has taken more time tending to them.

3. I had the yard sale which took 100% of my time and energy for three days, and then this week as I get rid of the extra stuff through freecycle (more work than yard sale btw).

4. I deglected the house a lot in August because I was so fired up and wantd to exercise. I have been cleaning before exercise this month.

I figured out last month I was on a high, just feeling so good to be back on the losing weight track and high on the encouragment from this list. But life had to go back to normal at some point, and it definitely did this month. I don't feel so down on myself now that I realize I haven't been completely slacking, I have just been busier than I was next month. October is going to be busy as well, but I know I need to get the eating under control and I should still manage a loss.

Theresa

LOL oops I was so excited I forgot to say what it was. I made my September goal + 2 more.

It is hard with schedules and kids, especially when they are sick. I had all three of them that way Monday plus I was ickified myself. Poor darlings got popcorn for dinner. One thing I find helpful is the at least the night before, plan what my meals are going to be and if I have something going on, prepare what I need to and put it in some tupperware to either take with me or it is all ready when I get back. I am amazed at the excersize you get in. Between the kids, house and yard, I am lucky to get a walk in now and then. You are going to do this. It is just a matter of getting into the groove that works for you. Oh and housework is excersize. Anything that makes me sweat like that, counts.

Josh had an accident at school today and I think it is cause his Dad upset him yesterday. He is still trying to make me talk to him and sticks josh in the middle. He told Josh that I was evil and something is wrong with me. I sent him a nasty gram this morning and if he does it again, I will just block his number and he won't be able to call anymore. I am just so sick of him too. On the upside though, no snotty kids driving in front of my house yesterday so it looks like my little chat with the mother worked after all.
Melissa

Form the time I was 22 -23 decided by the time I was 30 I would do it. I hated all the guys staring and they are big 42-42 DDD or F, hurt my back, rashes in the summer just dont want that much anymore. The doc said he can bring me down to a small D or a bic C, and cause it is medical it will be covered 100%. So why not go for it. Lose wieght, get skinnier not skinny just skinneir, and have nice perky hard boobs right on. LOL
well I did make it to Curves today dont think I'm gonna walk cause its raining but will try for Curves again tommorow.

Congrats Melissa! Wish I could say the same :dz:

Good job on getting to curves Ice. Sounds like you have way too much to carry around, I would have the surgery as well.

Theresa

Oh melissa I would be dancing too! CONGRATS!!!!!!! You go girl- you did great!:cheer:
and theresa... :strong:... You have logged in 18 + hours of excercise...that is so Fantastic with all you have going on...hang in there and you are gonna see a change.
It seems just when i get into a routine something comes along and messes up my routine. and while I can Mutli -task like a mad woman at work- when it comes to me and this lifestyle change I have to do 1 thing at a time and be really "A.Rententive" about it all. But At least I know I am and can laugh at myself about it. I agree about planning I always have a back up plan - of course I am the type to make all kinds of what if this happens or what if that happens situations so I tend to "over" prepare.

Having issues with hubby- again with the "why can't you eat what I am eating ?"stuff again - I think sure... let me devour 2 bacon mushroom swiss burgers with a side of fries.....Then let me eat the big bowl of ice cream with you....arrgh he just is kinda cluless at times. cute but clueless. I mean I do eat some of what they do - I don't buy too much special for me- like they'll eat mashed pots or rice and I'll have a sweet potato instead- I'll have a bigger salad instead of a roll - so it's not like our grocery store bill has gone up - well it has but thats because prices are going up a bit - but it's only gone up 5-7 $ a week.
Ice - yay going to curves!!
Carrie- I am liking the show too-(although I am NOT supposed to watch reality shows due to my addiction and wearing out the phone from voting on American Idol last season. Joking ;) - Ummm well maybe about not watching reality shows and becomming addicted :lol: )
I have decided to wait till Friday for WI cause last week I was soooo close to 4 pounds & maybe 2 more days will help LOL
I am gonna go :workout: see ya'll later!

Thanks for the encouragement Theresa & Melra. I am back on track today – ate well and walked with the gals at lunch!!!
Theresa - Glad you are back on track too!
Melra – Congrats on the running goal!!!
Caldwell hope your tooth is better – I still have my wisdom teeth, they are coming in o.k. right now some pain, but coming in straight at least. I am 37 and hoping I never have to have them out!!

I relost another pound and started TOM yesterday, so I am hoping I am getting back on track - I will not meet the 4lb goal for loss and excersie goal of 600 minutes, but am happy that I lost 2.5 and have done 455 of exercise!!!

Time to think about October goal(s) - Did we decide on it yet? I can't remember :?:

Keep up the great work all!!

o.k. – duh – I just missed that I had not read two pages of posts – I was wondering where everyone was… :dizzy:

princesspuff – hope you are feeling better :(

sorry to hear everyone’s kids are sick too… I think getting back to school gets everyone sick – I work at a school and we’ve got a nasty cold going around already this year.

Melissa – sorry to hear neighbor’s kids are such brats and it sounds like the mom needs a kick in the butt! Congratulations on reaching your goal plus some!!! :D

LauraB – don’t worry about going off plan a little – just get back on track – having control of your meals will help a lot. It’s hard not to worry about your kids no matter what their age. That bike ride sounds awesome!

Sandisuze – Great Job on all the great things you have done for yourself!!!

Carrie – you are not a failure!! I agree with Melissa it is a journey – ups/downs – BUT WE CAN DO IT!!!! 41 lbs is nothing to sneeze at!! Great Job!

As for the dog advice - I know when our Border Collie, Mollie, was younger she would pee all the time when people would come over and pet her and we realized it was when people came in the house and made a big deal about her and talked to her in a high pitched voice she would do it. Also, their bladders aren’t fully developed when they are young and they just can’t “hold it” when they get excited.

Amen on the breast reduction – I would love one! I am 5-4 and wear a 38DD. Wgen I was 145 I wore a 36C – Would love to have my boobs shrink when the weight comes off! God I can only hope!

Theresa – October is a new month for us all! Don’t worry about what you may not have done in September!

Chow!

I think the 8 lbs. I lost has all come off my boobs, so I must be made different than you ladies :lol: Even hubby noticed they are a bit smaller. Last time I lost weight it was the first place I lost as well. I am a D cup, but who knows what it will be by the time I'm at goal weight. You should all lose some from the boobs as well, since part of it is fat...it goes all over under the skin, even that department.

Theresa

I forgot to make my confession: I ate spagetti for supper because it was quick and we are running low on groceries. I almost got the kids dressed and ran to subway, where I could get a big salad, but decided all that was too much work so took out the whole wheat pasta and make "sketties." BIG mistake. I feel like a blimp, I'm sluggish, I want to skip the rest of my exercise and go straight to bed. Carb overload, even though it was whole wheat. I am going to start making a weekly meal plan, planning everything including snacks, so that I don't have to just wing it anymore. I usually just breeze through the store, buying whatever looks good and what's on sale that week, then each meal I just make something up with what I have. Toward the end of the week it's hard sometimes. So, I'm going to eliminate that and I'm going right now to make a week's schedule starting with tomorrow. I shop on Thursdays, so this is perfect timing.

Uggghhh I do feel so miserable. I'm going to exercise though, because I don't want to sleep with all this food in my belly. It just turns into sugar when you sleep with it in there, and that is no good. I used to need my belly full to sleep good, but now it's just so miserable. It's like putting myself in a coma...why did I need to do that? I know why now, and I am going to exercise because I can't do it anymore.

Theresa

Theresa, same here! I told hubby that I was going to have to break down and buy some new bras because mine are all getting too big and he said that was the only bad part of my weight loss...MEN! :lol: Personally I would love to be a 36C again and it looks like it might actually happen!

I think we may be all married to the same man?? Mine's comment was well- if you lift weights and use the toning bands at least they will not get smaller- just firmer.yep that's a guy for ya.. although my back IS getting rid of some of that back fat that bulges around my bra.. I would enjoy a 36 c again too- and be able to wear the tank tops that have built in bras.. I have too much underarm jiggle :lol: to wear one in Public..

Theresa- I don't know about where you are but I can check out the computer on Thursdays for web sites to the area grocery stores for sales- then I make up lists for groceries and then menus for the week- I found that microsoft office.com has great templates for a food diary and menus and grocery lists.. Have we thought up an October group challenge?? if so I missed it.. Not surprising with me.. I will reread all posts and see what I may have missed..
Well I just heard lots of thunder rolling in so I am going to sign off.
Have a great night all.

Me too ladies, with the bra size! I started at a 44D and now, 40 pounds down, I'm in a 42C. Not a big change, but I used to look down and see "the girls", now I look down and I can see my stomach :( Hubby has definitely noticed! :lol: I told him if they get any smaller as I lose the next 65 pounds, he will be paying for implants and a lift!! ;)
I have a friend that had a reduction 2 years ago, and she says it was the best thing she ever did. She didn't lose any weight though(around 300) before the surgery and I wonder what will happen if she ever decides to lose weight? She went from a 44F to about a C.
Well, I will check in later, gotta go pick up hubby.

Kathy

No I don't think there has been one finalized. there was one suggestion that there be no drive-thru or fast food for the month. Wouldn't be a challenge for me personally but if it helps others that is fine. I just never have any money for it and I did take the favorite pizza place out of my favorites for online ordering. I am open to any suggestions.
melissa

Re: October Goals

No fast food seems good

How bout some solid serious play time w/kids/husband/friends/etc... like I don't know park time? bowling? something? like...24 hrs in the month?

I know something I deal with is that whenever my husband and I decide to go out and "do something special" that ALWAYS means going out to a giant dinner. UGGG.

Ummm maybe a goal could be to not say anything negative about oneself for the entire month? Is that even possible?

and I think it would be cool to have exercise hour goals again. I didn't participate in September and would like to very much in October.

Just some thoughts
Carrie

Would any of you mind if I come up with an optional 'get to know you questionaire' ?

I think they are really helpful in catching up on people's personalities and I could really use a crash course.

Carrie

Questionaire is fine with me. I guess we could go with excersize and no fast food for october. I know that would be good for some to take some of the pressure off trying to get a certain loss for the month-it sucks for those who plateau. We want something where everyone can feel the success together and I know the excersize thing would be a big challenge for me personally as I really suck at it. I was going over the journal I kept for september and boy I had some ups and downs for the month but the important thing is I never quit. I commend all who are still here and those who are back. That is what is going to make the difference and make it happen.
melissa

All the ideas sound great to me. Fast food eeeww might have to have once or twice but I can really try not to, just have to make a couple meals ahead of time so those days were you dont feel like cooking its there just heat it up. I think alot of the weight loss and diet is proper planning. If you plan you cant really screw up. Right????I'm hoping to beable to afford a treadmill by mid October so I wont have to go out for my walks.Fingers crossed. I should be able to stick to Octobers goals, if life is easy on me. LOL take care ladies.

How about no fast food doubling the exercise goal. Or, since we all seem to have different means of exercise, how about if each of us posts an individual exercise goal. Maybe also a personal goal. For instance, I turn on the teapot now, everytime I am on the phone or when ever I am stressed. Some days I have 10 cups. I'd like to cut down to 3 cups a day.
Carrie- a questionaire is fine with me too.

I rode my bike today for 4.7 miles, about 2 miles on dirt and the rest on wonderful smooth pavement. The world looks so different from my bike and I love it. I still can't get up all the hills, but then I walk so it's ok.
Food was ok too, 1250 calories.

I'm wondering how many calories those of us who are counting are doing? Please share, other calorie counters. According to fitday. my calories are ok, but the breakdown of carbs protein and fats is still higher in carbs and fats than protein. I think that's cause I'm eating lots of fruit, my most favorite thing in the world. I could probably eat a whole watermelon by myself.
Laura

QUESTIONAIRE:

Cut and Paste

All questions optional of course

Name:
Married/Single/Dating:
Pets:
Occupation:
Height/weight/:
Goal weight:
Have you always been overweight?:
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed?
Chocolate or gummy candy?
Describe your favorite outfit?
Top 3 favorite Movies:
Top 3 favorite books:
Do you like reality tv?
Who's your movie star crush?
Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU:
Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs:
If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be:
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life?
Do you know your neighbors?
Do you like them?
How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight?
Was this questionaire way too long?

HAVE FUN!

Name: CARRIE
Married/Single/Dating: MARRIED ALMOST 9 YEARS
Pets: LOTS! 4 CATS;BABY, FRAIDY, MR T AND LOUIS. 1 RABBIT; FRED. 2 DOGS, A DOBERMAN NAMED LAYLA AND A NEOPOLITAN MASTIFF NAMED CASHMERE AND MILLIONS OF FISH
Occupation: 911 DISPATCHER
Height/weight/: 5'0" 174
Goal weight: ULTIMATELY 100LBS
Have you always been overweight?: SINCE 3RD GRADE
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? ALL OF THE ABOVE
Chocolate or gummy candy? CHOCOLATE A LOT
Describe your favorite outfit? MY ANTIQUE WASH GAP LOW RISE, SKINNY LEG JEANS W/MY BLACK AND WHITE FITTED BROCADE CORSET-LIKE BUT NOT LACE UP FLOWERED TOP, BLACK VELVET BLAZER (STILL HAVE TO HIDE MY ARMS) AND MY VERY SHINY BLACK PATENT MOTORCYCLE CLASP 4" HEELS! LOVE IT!
Top 3 favorite Movies: LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, THE GREEN MILE, THE UNTOUCHABLES
Top 3 favorite books: BEL RIA, STILL LIFE WITH CROWS, THE GREEN MILE
Do you like reality tv? SOME
Who's your movie star crush? RYAN REYNOLDS
Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: LET HER CRY-HOOTIE (YES I KNOW THAT'S EMBARASSING)
Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs: PRETTY SURE BRIEFS
If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: A JELLYFISH
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? MY HUSBAND AND KIDS (COUNTING THEM AS ONE IS CHEATING I KNOW;)), GETTING MY JOB AND THE DRAMA THAT ENTAILS WORKING IN A 12' BY 12' ROOM W/SEVERAL CATTY WOMEN, MEETING MY TWO BEST FRIENDS.
Do you know your neighbors? NO
Do you like them? NO
How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? ALL OF IT REALLY, WHETHER OR NOT IT'S RATIONAL.
Was this questionaire way too long? YES I DO THINK SO.

hi everyone! glad to see those snotty neighbors are starting to lay off melissa. congrats on getting your sep. goal!
i loved you list of accomplishments sandi! that was awesome.
well you ladies are right on with the pro-breast reduction stuff. i am going to be all over that when i get to my goal. my bras are already loose in the band, but cup size is not really going down. i have all this excess skin and sagging. yuck. i am 25 and should have perky tits. i hate having big boobs. have to hold them when i run. i was a 36g (at 238), and even now 36d feels too big. i think i would like to be around 34c.. maybe 32 since i have such a small frame.
questionaires are so fun!! here it is:

Name: candice
Married/Single/Dating: married 8/04
Pets: none, but i want some fish and a cat
Occupation: i want to be an urban planner, but i currently sell health insurance :( and tutor some korean nurses in english (which i love doing.. if i could make enough $$ with that i would do it full time).
Height/weight/: 5'4", 163 lbs
Goal weight: in the 110-125 range. probably closer to 125, but i set my ticker low, so i wouldn't have all that trouble with losing the last 15 lbs :lol: also, can i have a goal height? i would like to be 5'2" :devil:
Have you always been overweight?: since 3rd grade i think. that's when the other kids started teasing me about being fat.
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? not anymore :D
Chocolate or gummy candy? depends. usually chocolate though.
Describe your favorite outfit? toss up between my new full brown flower skirt and black lace tank top from anthropologie with black platforms, and my green hoodie and "the best girls are from orange county" shirt from urban outfitters with my gap denim skirt and my copper glitter ballet flats. oh man, i red-heart that t-shirt :)
Top 3 favorite Movies: gone with the wind, steel magnolias, and the ring
Top 3 favorite books: false memory and the watchers by dean koontz, and the bear and the dragon by tom clancy. but i love anything by either of those authors.
Do you like reality tv? nonononononono!!
Who's your movie star crush? nicolas cage and matthew mcconaughey
Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: everything i want to be, by save ferris
Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs: shouldn't he "go commando?" ;)
If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: an alligator, so i wouldn't have to do anything
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? becoming a christian, almost-one eloping with my (now) husband, meeting my best friend
Do you know your neighbors? yes (the couple next door) and that's rare here!
Do you like them? yes (also rare in so.cal.)
How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? none! as squishy says, "life is a celebration, so come on now and celebrate!" plus.. if i'm blaming life's downs on anything, it's time i waste not doing something about it.
Was this questionaire way too long? not the way it was designed, but i made it long with my goofy answers ;)

I like having the monthly exercise goals...that's where I fall short and need the most help. As for the no fast food goal...I'll skip that one. My "diet plan" is all about keeping it real so I can live like this forever and I do eat fast food on occassion...it's a fact of my life.

Name: Suzy
Married/Single/Dating: Married...almost 24 years!
Pets: A 9 year old shetland sheepdog
Occupation: My husband and I own and operate a sheet metal and heating business.
Height/weight/: 5' 5" 154
Goal weight: At least 140
Have you always been overweight?: For the last 20 years or so I have been about 20 pounds overweight, but packed on an extra 10 on top of that over the past year.
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? Yes
Chocolate or gummy candy? Chocolate
Describe your favorite outfit? Jeans, t-shirt and sneakers
Top 3 favorite Movies: Wizard of Oz, Gone With The Wind, and any John Wayne western.
Top 3 favorite books: To Kill A Mockingbird, Of Mice And Men, The Lord Of The Rings series
Do you like reality tv? NO!
Who's your movie star crush? Sean Connery
Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: Then They Do ~ Trace Adkins
Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs: Cadwell had the best answer for this one! :lol:
If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: A house cat, so I could eat and lay around in the sunshine all day long!
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? Getting married and the birth of my two sons.
Do you know your neighbors? Yes
Do you like them? Yes, most of them.
How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? None, life is what you make of it no matter what size you are.
Was this questionaire way too long? Nope

Okay, having a really bad day here and it's not even 9AM. I'll do this just for ya'll though I feel like just going to bed and being lazy:

Name: Theresa

Married/Single/Dating: Married for 5 years, with 2 children: 1 &3 years old.

Pets: None, since we threw our cats outside. They wanted nothing but to escape and be outside, and no matter what I did they kept getting fleas, which got into my carpet, and then I gave them their wish and threw them outside. They are now living under my back deck, and I feed them, and the seem happy. I am still battling fleas, which just won't go away no matter what I do. So...no more pets in my house! Ever! We do have a dog, but he won't stay in the backyard, digs holes under the fence, and keeps bringing home shoes. Where are the shoes coming from? I don't want to find out.

Occupation: Stay at home mommy, or home engineer as I guess it's called now.

Height/weight/: 5'5", 250 for the last month

Goal weight: 150

Have you always been overweight? No, before I had my kids I skinny. I went on bed rest and food became my drug.

Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? Yep.

Chocolate or gummy candy? Gummy.

Describe your favorite outfit? Sweat pants these days. I'm SO out of the fashion loop, don't even buy clothes lately. I'll get back into it when nothing fits anymore though! Once I get out of the house more than the weekly grocery store trip, I'll be more interested.

Top 3 favorite Movies: I haven't seen a movie in years. I know, pathetic me. Last date night hubby and I opted to stay home and sleep while the kids were gone. It was heaven.

Top 3 favorite books: I could list fifty. True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters. Kite Runner. Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates. Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer.

Do you like reality tv? The good ones, but not the stupid ones like Please Marry My Dad!

Who's your movie star crush? My hubby. He's a movie star in my eyes.

Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: Can't think of one. Guess I'm one of a kind.

Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs: I agree with Cadwell, neither.

If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: I would be a horse, big enough to stomp on people.

What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? Birth of both my children, day I met my hubby, and the day I was walking through the mall and caught a glimpse of myself one of those long mirrors. It didn't even look like me, I was astonished, stopped and stared and wanted to cry. That's when I knew I had to lose the weight. I'm not even myself anymore.

Do you know your neighbors? Yes. Hubby grew up with them but I am just on the wave as you pass basis.

Do you like them? Not really. They tie their dogs out behind their house, have goats and chickens in their yard. We live outside the city so there's nothing we can do about it.

How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? I don't think my problems are caused by my weight, but the weight doesn't make dealing with life very easy.

Was this questionaire way too long? It's okay, but my son hit the escape key while I was halfway through and for some reason it erased all my answers :?: and I had to retype and I have TOM cramps and I think I'm going back to bed now.

Theresa

Name: Melissa
Married/Single/Dating:Divorced Divorced Divorced
Pets:Fish and a bird named Batty because he hangs upside down and opens his wings
Occupation:Chief cook and bottle washer although we are done with bottles around here.
Height/weight/:5'1" 213
Goal weight:122
Have you always been overweight?:Pretty much always
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? mainly when stressed. If I am tired I go to bed and sometimes eat when bored.
Chocolate or gummy candy?Oh definately chocolate
Describe your favorite outfit? At this point I don't have one-that is one thing I am looking forward to is clothes shopping!
Top 3 favorite Movies:oh man-Lord of the rings trilogy, matrix trilogy, fried green tomatoes-I have too many I like-movies are my favorite
Top 3 favorite books: a woman of substance, Envy by Sondra Brown, and the Lord of the rings trilogy along with The Hobbit.
Do you like reality tv? not really. The only one I watched was ****'s Kitchen otherwise nope.
Who's your movie star crush? oh man that is a long list. Jason Mamoa is a hotty, Ben Browder, Mel Gibson, Brad Pitt-ok I am man crazy what can I say.
Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU:not sure there is one but I do adore Coldplay.
Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs:Candace said it all!
If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: I don't want to come back. LOL
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? My first divorce, my second divorce, and the arrival of raising my granddaughters.
Do you know your neighbors? not really
Do you like them? Not really
How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? None, I always had the choice of whether to put that food into my mouth or not.
Was this questionaire way too long? naw

Been AWOL most of this month. It started good and then went south taking my diet with it! One good thing, I haven't gained any weight so at least I don't have to catch up on lost ground. The worst has been the overwhelming fatugue. I'm trying to change jobs (not just for me, doc recommended it would help hubby too) but am looking for the right one. It'll just take time I guess.
Congrats to all of you who stayed with it and met your goals, you inspire me!!

Name: Suzette
Married/Single/Dating: married, 11 years
Pets: newfoundland/german shepherd mix (weighs 130!) named bear, yorkie named spanky,cat-snowball, and a cockatoo named sadie.
Occupation: icu nurse
Height/weight/:5'9" 215
Goal weight:150
Have you always been overweight?:since I was 18, before that I was super skinny
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? yes, especially when tired
Chocolate or gummy candy? hands down--chocolate
Describe your favorite outfit? soft pair of jeans with a comfy sweater
Top 3 favorite Movies: Under the Tuscan Sun, Enchanted April, Saving Grace
Top 3 favorite books: I read constantly, anything by James Patterson, Frances Mayes, or Tess Gerritson to name a few.
Do you like reality tv? no, I get enough reallity with my job!!
Who's your movie star crush? Sean Connery, that voice just does me in!!!
Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: Fly Like an Eagle by Steve Miller Band.
Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs: Briefs, anyone who talks that way has got to be wearing too tight undies!!!
If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: A siamese cat
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? When I realized I was living in an abusive realtionship in my first marriage and had lost who I was, meeting my present hubby, graduating from college at the ripe age of 44
Do you know your neighbors? not really
Do you like them? they seem ok
How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? I don't blame the event, just how I deal with it. If one brownie makes me feel a little better then 10 will make everything ok!! (The old me used to think that way)
Was this questionaire way too long? not really, good questions made it interesting!!!

Melissa~ :woo: :balloons: Congratulations on your goal! You are awesome!

Name: melanie
Married/Single/Dating: married
Pets: we might still have a hamster around the house somewhere, but he's been awol for a bit now. my dd said it's b/c he kept trying to tell her something but she doesn't speak hamster.
Occupation:
Height/weight/:
Goal weight:
Have you always been overweight?: always chubby, some ages more so than others. I remember wanting a girdle to wear to my dance class in 4th grade
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? is there a better time to eat?
Chocolate or gummy candy? chocolate

Describe your favorite outfit? *squeal!* I heart clothes and I can't afford them and don't look good in the ones I want. My fave outfit right now : jeans, a patterned greenish top with lacey accents, chocolate courderoy (sp?) blazer, long silky skinny scarf and bronze wedges.

Top 3 favorite Movies: hard to think of them right now--Next Stop Wonderland for sure--that movie made me realize I didn't like the guy I was dating and had a direct role in meeting my husband. SHAG--total chick flick.

Top 3 favorite books: Midnight's Children by Salmun Rushdie, Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Immortality or Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera (Oh!) and The Sun Also Rises by Hemmingway

Do you like reality tv? is tv real?

Who's your movie star crush? If Matthew McCon-a-hottie ever came on to me I would have to chant my wedding vows aloud as a protective mantra. And Luke Wilson...I heart him too--that jawline! Those longing looks! My husband actually looks exactly like David Arquette without the doofy clothes. (mmm...my husband without clothes! :o ) I got a crush on David Arquette when I saw Scream before I met my hubby.

Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: Prince's Sexy Mutha***er HA HA HA!

Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs: Shatner! Free Willy!

If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: Once I did this quiz thing and the answer was a monkey, so I'm sticking with that.

What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? The birth of my daughter, The death of my father, the night I realized that my (then) boyfriend was The One.

Do you know your neighbors? Used to, but now we have 2 new households (did we drive the others away?)
Do you like them? so far, so good.

How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? not much, but I blame my weight on much of life's downs.
Was this questionaire way too long? aw--it's over?

Name: Kathy
Married/Single/Dating: Married 18 1/2 years-6/07
Pets: 2 cats-Patrick and Amelia, 1 HUGE black lab-Gunnar
Occupation: Stay at home mom
Height/weight/: 5' 7" 233
Goal weight: right now 170
Have you always been overweight?: yes, except for a few years in my teens
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? Yes to all
Chocolate or gummy candy? Chocolate
Describe your favorite outfit? Don't really have one-I don't like any of the fat clothes I own :(
Top 3 favorite Movies: Steel Magnolias, Shawshank Redemption, Fried Green Tomatoes
Top 3 favorite books: All of the Left Behind series, Courage for the Chicken-Hearted, The Power of the Praying Wife
Do you like reality tv? Only The Biggest Loser
Who's your movie star crush? Matthew McConaughey
Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: I'm Ready to Fly-FFH
Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs: I agree with Cadwell, too! :lol:
If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: a spoiled cat
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? Becoming a christian, meeting and marrying my husband, giving birth 6 times
Do you know your neighbors? No
Do you like them? ?
How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? None. I hurt my back when I was 21 and had back surgery, I laid around on the couch and drank 12 packs of pepsi and ate and ate and ate. I wasn't small to begin with and that just added on :(
Was this questionnaire way too long? Nope, was good for me!

I loved the left behind series. Have you read any of the new ones about the archeologist Michael? They are awesome and I have already read the two out. There is another one sometime in the near future. I love his style of writing. I couldn't put them down.
Melissa

Hey all--I've been thinking about the October thing today too. Can we all agree to put our personal Oct goal challenge whatever in our signature so we can all keep track of each other? Just an idea.

And how many of us made the 4lb mark this month?
How many minutes of exercise for our group total? --I'd be really curious to see that total!

Name: Laura
Married/Single/Dating: married, 40 years
Pets: German shep, Dukathon, 2 cats, Mr E and Black Cat who has no name
Occupation: We have a small sales office out of the house and I work part time in it.
Height/weight/: 5'4 , 197
Goal weight: 135
Have you always been overweight?:Up and downs, but the high is the highest and there have been lo lows for several years.
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed?
Chocolate or gummy candy? Chocolate for sure
Describe your favorite outfit? Nice jeans and a pocket tee and loafers, not ready yet
I ahte all these ugly fat clothes with elastic and big shirts and xxxL ugly stuff
Top 3 favorite Movies: Wuthering Heights (the original 1939) The Producers, Casablanca
Top 3 favorite books: Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, American Pasteral by Phillip Roth, Lots books by Anthony Trollop.
Do you like reality tv? Only What Not To Wear on TLC. Is that reality?
Who's your movie star crush? Christopher Meloni from Law and Order
Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU:
Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs: Who cares?
If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: A giraffe in a nice protected African plain.
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? My 4 kids, deciding not to break up my marriage when it was really tough, the election of GW Bush (a tradegy from my point of view for my country. It changed my opitimistic point of view.)
Do you know your neighbors? yes
Do you like them? yes
How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? It's not my weight. It's my unhealthy relationship to food which cause much grief, and ends up in fat.
Was this questionaire way too long? No, you did good to write it and I think it's a good thing to answer.

ok my turn...
Name: Sandra Sue ( yep that's it- no middle name - it's Sandra Sue)
Married/Single/Dating:married 10 years in Feb. 06
Pets: 1 cat - a 20 year old calico
Occupation:Ministry Assistant
Height/weight/: 4 ft 10 and 1/2 inches (gotta get that 1/2 inch there) 165lbs
Goal weight:110-120 or a size 6/8
Have you always been overweight?:since 1984 - I was a size 4 in 1983

Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? yep-well it's not junk food anymore but maybe too many bananas or peaches.

Chocolate or gummy candy? :p trick question ... umm BOTH
Describe your favorite outfit? right now it's pj bottoms and a t shirt.. but I am really eyeing a shirt and sweater set at target...

Top 3 favorite Movies: Lord of the Rings triology, Gone with the Wind, The ORIGINAL star wars

Top 3 favorite books: anything by Tolkien, Gone with the Wind and all the little house books

Do you like reality tv? depends on the show
Who's your movie star crush? ANOTHER TRICK QUESTION... arrgh-I CAN'T pick only 1... Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage and Viggo Mortensen

Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: 1985 by Bowling for soup
Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs? cadwell said it so well

If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: a well pampered House cat
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? Becoming a Christian, marrying my now hubby and having my kids

Do you know your neighbors? most of them
Do you like them?it depends on the day :lol:

How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? NONE- I did this by not paying attention and eating right or exercising..

Was this questionaire way too long? Nope- but I just can't have ONE favorite Actor though.

Name: BRANDI
Married/Single/Dating:SEPERATED ( JUST MOVED OUT 2 DAYS)
Pets: CAT (BLACK,ORANGE,WHITE NAMED TOOWNIE TWO FACE CAUSE SHE HAS TWO FACES)
Occupation:FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER
Height/weight/:5'8 263
Goal weight:150 BUT WOULD BE HAPPY AT 175-185
Have you always been overweight?:THE LAST COUPLE YEARS (BLAMES HUBBY HE WAS JEALOUS)
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? ALL OF THE ABOVE
Chocolate or gummy candy?GUMMY SOUR CANDIES
Describe your favorite outfit?NOW COMFY CLOTHES, GOAL WEIGHT TANK AND JEANS
Top 3 favorite Movies: GREEN MILE, TITANIC, GREASE
Top 3 favorite books:DR.PHIL (ALL), SELF HELP BOOKS DONT REALLY HAVE FAV
Do you like reality tv? DEPENDS SOME NO (DANCE,SING) SOME YES (DECORATING)
Who's your movie star crush? MATHEW MA-HOTTIE I THINK SOEMONE SAID HE SEEMS PRETTY PUPOLAR HMMMM
Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: MILKSHAKE LOL OR HEY MAMA BLACK EYED PEAS
Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs:BRIEFS BUT LIKE THE COMMENT FREE WILLY LOL
If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be:BEAR THEY CAN BE FAT AND THEY HIBERNATE
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? BIRTHS, DEATHS, MAIRRAGE
Do you know your neighbors? YES
Do you like them? MOST OF THEM JUST ONE I DONT
How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? ABOTU 75 %
Was this questionaire way too long? NO IT WAS FUN

Thanks for posting the questionnaire! I have so enjoyed reading these.

Name: Kay

Married/Single/Dating: Married 16 years, 1 son age 15, 1 daughter age 13

Pets: Are you sure you want me to answer this one?? 4 Dogs: Max (Pomeranian), Rudy & Arson (Dalmatians), Bailey (Great Pyrenees) A bunch of barn cats, 5 housecats (Raven, Asia, Pebbles, Penny, and Pixie), 4 horses (Red, Summer, Dakota, and Moonshine), 9 pygmy goats (Gwen, Gretchen, Wildflower, Wisteria, Sierra, Samantha, Schnibble, Silver and Bambo), and 2 llamas (Sure Thing & Silver Dollar a.k.a Buck)

Occupation: Supervise the discipline room at a high school

Height/weight/: 5'8", 156

Goal weight: 150

Have you always been overweight?: Up and down...mostly up

Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? Not anymore, used to eat when I was bored.

Chocolate or gummy candy? Any kind of chocolate...not too wild about gummy candies except for peachies

Describe your favorite outfit? I could never choose...I love all my clothes now.

Top 3 favorite Movies: The Village, Dances With Wolves, Pirates of the Caribbean

Top 3 favorite books: Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult, The Loop by Nicholas Evans, anything by Anita Shreve

Do you like reality tv? only Big Brother

Who's your movie star crush? Johnny Depp...but my hubby is still hotter...

Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: I like lots of songs but I can't think of any that describe me...

Do you think captain kirk wears boxers or briefs: Have no idea

If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: My Mom tells me that when I was little I used to embarrass her by running around whinnying and snorting no matter where we were so I guess I would have to say a horse.

What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? Meeting and marrying my husband, birth of my children, death of my dad.

Do you know your neighbors? Yes

Do you like them? Yes (but keep in mind that neighbors out here are anybody within about 2 miles...so we really don't live close enough to get on each other's nerves much)

How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? None anymore...used to blame my shyness and uneasiness around new people on it, but I'm still shy (getting better)

Was this questionaire way too long? Nope, but my answers probably were!

I have just about enough with the drama already. My ex's chippy called me today to tell me that some charges were made against my ex to child protective services and it is supposed to concern my son. Needless to say I told her there would be no visitation until he is cleared but geez louise enough already. I would like to just up and move and not tell people I did it. The sad thing is this poor little girl sounded just like me 10 years ago when I met him. Rose colored glasses and gushing. I really felt ill. So I drove down to their office and filled out a disclosure form because I want to see what he is accused of so that nothing can be glazed over like it is no big deal. I think it is a huge deal and so help me, it had better be false. I just want peace!
Melissa

Melissa
I'm so sorry all this crap seems to be endless for you. The best thing would be if he moved his sorry butt far far away, like to Timbucto. Who brought the charges? Maybe this will be the best thing for you cause he won't be able to take Josh out on his own. I really think the child is better off not seeing the bum at all, than being treated badly by him. And it would surely make your life better.
Laura

That is what I am thinking too. I told the chippy that there are no visits. Of course the idiot calls and tells Josh he is in trouble with the police so now Josh was crying again about what if his dad goes to jail. I just don't get him. I am not sure who brought the charges up. Chippy seemed to think it was her husband who did it. So now there are no phone calls at all to the house allowed because I am not putting josh through anymore trauma. I have been asking God to remove him so maybe this is how it will get done. But hey-no fridge runs!
Melissa

wow! what a cool group of ladies we are! The questions & answers are so fun.

Melissa- I wish peace for you too- I am so understanding of the ex situation. I never went after more Child support because I was scared he would get partial custody and he was so mean and strict about everything. everything with him was the mighty dollar and being better than everyone else. the first year of the divorce he was a pain and then it calmed down until she got older and then EVERYTHING was my fault- very rude to me and nasty- he lived 10 hous away and didn't see her for years it's been 10-11 years since he's seen her- now he has his 2 boys and he has a "real " family now.. I agree with Laura- it may be better for Josh not to be exposed to the drama. oh and CONGRATS ON YOUR LOSS!

well I am gonna agree with NO fast food ( again no $$ for fast food and I have no desire to eat at those places) and lets pump up the exercise challenge- that's where I slack off and I am a bit annoyed with myself. I did make the 10 hours only because I pushed this last week. and ONLY because I pushed. As to the 4 lbs I won't know until the a.m. when i weigh in . and I agree with cadwell- I would like to be 5 foot 8 or 5-10 and I would hardly need to lose any weight- prolly none
"I am NOT overweight - I am Undertall" quote by garfield the cat.
Kayelle that so rocks that you are so close to your goal.. ( yep I'm a tad bit jealous ;) )
HMMM Personal goals for Oct?? Aha-I will NOT buy halloween candy under the guise of passing it out but really being sneaky and eating it all for myself....well that's a good one but I guess I need to figure out a weight type goal- I seem to do beter when I need to push myself and not allow myself to slack..I'll have to think on this one so I can add it to my sig tomorrow .
Have a great night all !

Melissa-
good choices- Don't let him do that to you or to Josh - poor kid doesn't need that in his life.. And yay to you for Not running to the fridge! I know it has to feel good that the ex's stupidity can't affect you in a bad way!

Here in Washington support is mandatory-you aren't allowed to say no. (not that he sends it anyway) I am so surprised I haven't gone to the fridge-this is the type of thing that used to set me off bad bad bad. I will not go to drive thru and I need to do something about excersize too. Mom did say that we would start walking at the mall 3 days a week so that should help me out. I should break down and take someone up on a excersize bike or treadmill through freecycle. I am busy all day long practically cleaning and chasing. My beautiful raked yard is a mess now. We had alot of bluster today and my entire yard is covered in pine needles and leaves now. You can hardly see the grass! So there is some more excersize for me. I think she wanted to start next week so that will fall right into the start of oct. will be hard since i have to go to court on tues for one of my ex's debts they want me to pay and then wed I have to take josh to seattle for an mri-man I need a vacation. LOL
Melissa

Melissa- I think the raking is good hard work. it does count as exercise!

I think it's getting cooler out in the a.m. and if they change hubby's hours to go in at 7 instead of 6 like they said they are going to - I can get in a good 40 minutes walk in the a.m. The afternoons are too hot still- it was 92 yesterday
Well I did a WI first thing this a.m. and I am down another pound and almost 2 but not quite. it's like a pound and 3/4 of a pound so I did make our group goal. and not too bad for someone who slacked in the exercise dept. I need to change my ticker and sig. still debating on what to have as a personal goal this month. I think I like the challenge, but I need to try to be more consistent with achieveing my goals. I need to be very careful this month with all the candy around.
ust walking by the aisle makes me drool. I know -thats gross! :lol: ) I need to find a way NOT to go by those aisles. except they put them right next to the laundry soap and the trash bags. :( I told hubby and the kids NO bags of mini candy - if you want candy -buy 1 bar and eat it. I am planning on buying the mini halloween bags of doritos and cheetos, microwave popcorn and teddy grahamns to pass out halloween night. don't like any of the above except popcorn and I'll make sure It's gone before I can pop any! (it's not lofat!)
:cheer: to everyone!!!! for everything they achieved this month! remember no matter how small it's still an ACHIEVEMENT!

Hello ladies!
I finally "deflated" and now that the bloat is gone my weight isn't as high as I thought. I did not make the 4lb goal, but I did make the exercise goal. I will have another short workout tonight for my "makeup" exercise as well.

Thank god it's the weekend. DH and I are hoping to do some major house and yard work and hopefully get the house ready to paint next weekend.

I'm going to change my sig today for my October goals once I figure out what they are...I think your Halloween candy avoidance goals are good ones so far and I know I always end up sneaking some in for myself. Other than that, I need to make sure I don't slack off on exercise and I really really really need to be more disciplined on my eating. I'm eating too much soup and bread and not enough veggies. Oh man, soup and bread sounds so good right now...

I wore the wrong jeans today and I feel like a sausage now. I can't freaking wait until I get a pair of skinny jeans.

yay! I got my sig figured out--sandisuze I saw that you've updated yours too!

:woo: Just got back from doc app't and I am down 6 pounds!!! I don't think I heard anything else that was said after that :lol: I was surprised because I really did not think I had lost any weight at all. Now I am charged up and ready to face a new month. :yes:

WTG!!! Congrats on the loss Misty! Well I will start walking with mom after the first week of october on Wednesdays. I always count 1 hour of excersize a day with all the housework and yardwork I do each day and I will be on the lookout for a bike or treadmill from freecycle for those in betweens. I figure even if I get on the thing 15 min a day it is a beginning. Formal excersize is just a hangup I have I guess. All the things I like to do, I am still too heavy for and I am also still too heavy to ride a real bike. My son is looking forward to me riding with him already.

Your October tickers are cute-I may go back and change mine. My October goals are to get more movement in, no drive thru, no Halloween candy(easy one since it is the last day of the month) Nov will be harder lol, and to be under 200lbs by the 31st. I am bidding on my first reward and it is the 2002 Annual recipe cookbook by WW. I have them all except 2002 & 2003.

Success to all for October Goals!
Melissa

Well Congrats ladies for makin your goals. My wiegh in is not till the 10th, well 11th but 10th is a Monday so I will post then. My goals for October I already mentioned are Curves 3 times a week and 3km walk 5 times a week. Plus all the packing and possible moving I'm gonna have to do will add up to I'm sure. Good luck to everyone on Octobers goals.

congrats to all on getting to the september goal. i am so proud of this group. good luck to everyone on the october goals. one of my goals for october is going to be to get down into the 150s. also going to the gym more often, hopefully an average of four times per week.
well, my wisdom tooth is still giving me trouble. i have been pretty lazy this week and not doing enough work. i think my boss has pretty much decided i am not going to be making too many sales. oh well. my job sucks.
i need a vacation.

I changed my sig line but couldn't find the halloween designs on the tracker page :?: I am really looking forward to a new month. I have to lose this month to meet my goal of being under 200 by end of the year. If I stick to these goals I HAVE to lose...right? What do you guys think? Is that enough or not?

My back is finally not hurting! I scrubbed all the floors by hand, 5 large rooms and a long hallway, plus cleaned the back 3 rooms and swept, did 2 loads of laundry, and tinkered with cleaning out the garage the rest of the way. All that thinking it would start hurting...but it didn't! I can get back to weights and pilates now.

I am going to start using Fitday.com this month, so that I cannot lie to myself!

Melissa, I am SO sorry about everything going on with the ex and your boy. He sure is lucky to have you in his life, otherwise look what he would be left with. You are such a great mommy, hang in there.

Theresa

Cadwell--why would your boss think that? You are going to find the perfect job one day, it just takes some struggle sometimes. Hang in there.

Theresa

All in all I think we had a pretty good month! Congratulations everyone! I didn't quite make my goals for September, but I was close, so that counts for something! I'm going to work really hard at exercising and staying on track the next couple of weeks. My husband's brother and his wife will be here at the end of the month and I want to be in the best shape that I can be by then!

theresa go to tickerfactory.com to get the halloween tickers. Thank you for the pat on the back too-sometimes I just wonder how long I will have to pay for allowing not the best people into my life. Well I got what housework I wanted done and now I am waiting for nappy time for amanda so I can go paint her dresser. It has been nice and quiet so far today which is what I live for. Yes you stick to your goals and you will lose and I think fitday is a great idea especially for the calorie counters-it amazes me at times just how many calories are in some things and it keeps track really well. When I had lunch at moms last week, she had these like teeny tiny muffins-they were 100 calories and I mean we are talking a one bite type thing. I almost fainted at it. I think we are all off to a great start for october and I am looking forward to seeing "less" of us all!
Melissa

MistyDreamer, cheers to 6 pounds! You rock!

Forgot to say that I did make the exercise goal, plus a ton more, but I am a big loser when it comes to knocking off the lbs this month...and not a loser in the good way. Tomorrow AM I get to measure myself, so fingers crossed. If I lost even half an inch I will be happy. I just keep reminding myself that I didn't gain anything, so at least I was good enough to maintain.

Theresa

mistydreamer, Great Job on the loss! Keep it up!

Theresa--I may have missed something, but what do your milestones 5 and 6 mean in your new sig line?

Ahhhh yes…. The back fat…… what a wonderful concept.. ….. :mad:
I have it, but it is getting smaller tho’!!
What I would really like to get rid of is what my girlfriends and I call .... the “gunt” :o (I hope I do not offend by saying that – if you know what it means) :D
I want a great stomach!! And I will have it someday!!! SOON!

I think personal goals are good. I don’t think I couldn’t sneak the candy (need to just be honest with myself here) but, I promise that I will not buy 4 bags for the four kids that actually show up!!
I liked the September goals, even though I didn't meet them!
Melissa – sorry about your jerky ex. Good job on not running to the fridge and staying on track!
Misty – Congrats on the loss!!!!!
Caldwell – sorry about the job, but you’ll find something you love soon!


Name: Kristen
Married/Single/Dating: Married 12 years/ no kids / two nephews
Pets: 1 dog Boarder Collie - Mollie 2 cats both 14ish Sahsa (black and white) Murray (brown tiger)
Occupation: Accounting Manager at private school
Height/weight/: 5' 4" 169
Goal weight: 135 - 145
Have you always been overweight?: No, mainly since 1999
Do you eat when your bored/tired/stressed? stressed mainly
Chocolate or gummy candy? CHOCOLATE!!!!
Describe your favorite outfit? Black Jeans and anything that is black :lol:
Top 3 favorite Movies: Steel Magnolias, Mystic Pizza and anything with Kathryn Hepburn
Top 3 favorite books: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (the movie not-so-much) Tuesdays with Morrie, The Bridges of Madison County
Do you like reality tv? some of it..Survivor...Amazing Race (not the family one) The Nanny and Supernanny are hilarious to me, because I don't have children so it is a culture shock for me.
Who's your movie star crush? I think I need to take another looooong look and Matthew McConaughey, he seems to be the fave here. I have a few, I guess... Matt Dillon (he was my first) ;) , George Eads (CSI) mmmmm... Doug Flutie (NFL quarterback).
Name one song that comes closest to describing YOU: GreenDay – Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) “Its something unpredictable... But in the end is right...I hope you had the time of your life” (this choice is explained below in 3 life changing moments...)
Do you think captain Kirk wears boxers or briefs: Either Caldwell’s answer or extreeemely tight briefs!
If you came back in another life as an animal/fish what would you be: I agree with a lot of you – a spoiled cat!
What are 3 life changing moments you've experienced in your life? o.k. need to apologize for bringing down the room here, but have to say my parents serious car accident in 1994 (drunk driver hit them head on) my mom's death, too young, from cancer in 1999, (and to bring the room back up) being my sister's birth coach for her two boys and getting to cut the cord for her second one!!
Do you know your neighbors? yes - live in the house I grew up in.
Do you like them? Yes! some are strange tho' (they probably think the same of me!) :lol:
How much of life's down's do you blame on your weight? none....
Was this questionaire way too long? Not at all

Just want to say you guys are a great group... loved your answers.. you had me laughing!!

well I am going to bring the mood even lower :lol: I checked out the book Restaurant Confidential today and it scares me... Not because of just the calories but because of all the FAT content.. ARRGH! I used to put this stuff in my body... it does tell you how to eat a good healthy diet while eating out. I have to upset myself myself by reading things like this.

I ate too much tonight and feel all Bloated and blahhh But I will drink water and eat better tomorrow. I was stressed today at work- w/o details I am having a rough time with some work related issues and they aren't good issues- in fact they are rotten and they STINK. oh well it'll all work out no matter what. But that's a lame excuse so the truth is.... I overate because I thought food would help me feel better... guess what?? NOPE I feel ICK. :(
I think fit day is a good way to track calories and all that - there are times I slack and don't have the ambition to go in and fill in everything. I do have a food journal so I try to keep up in that. I keep reading that people who are successful at weight loss write down everything.
Tomorrow will NOT be a good day so I may be a board hog so I don't eat
(apologies in advance) - we have to start going thru alot of my Nana's stuff and it's gonna bring back alot of memories . I really miss her. She really raised me and I haven't been able to go thru her stuff yet - But it needs to get done so...(bad word-bad word - I don't want to do this..)
ok I'm with Melra- melissa did we miss something??
Misty - YAY! on 6lbs!
Everyone did great no matter which goal you hit- the KEY word here TRIED- even if you didn't make it you TRIED!
Have a great night all !

You be a bored hog all you need to. I will be in and out tomorrow but will check in during pit stops. I scored some Halloween costumes for the girls and possibly something that will work for josh too so that is one thing I don't have to try and pull out of my sleeve.

Well I had to make good on my threat and blocked my ex's number from being able to call the house. He called yet again today to say he was picking up josh on sunday and he will probably show up at the crack of dawn just so he can think he is teaching me a lesson. The man is just sick I tell you. 5 calls in less than 48 hours between him and his chippy-that is just beyond insane and unfortunately I didn't get the paperwork from cps yet so I don't have any ammunition to use. I may have him stay the night with my parents so he isn't here. I just don't feel good about letting him go when the situation appears to be so volitile between the current girlfriends husband and my ex. I don't know what to do really. I just think he sucks.
Melissa

Melissa, I hope I'm not interfering, but I think it's a great idea to send Josh to your Mom's and avoid his dad. Kids don't need to be with crazy people and especially since you don't know yet what kind of charges they are talking about. This guy sounds like he enjoys making you nuts.

I am really unhappy about a WI tomorrow. I might just pass. I know I am changing cause I am wearing pants today that I absolutely could not wear 6 weeks ago so I am happy about it.
My October goals will be to use fitday everyday and stay under 1300 calories, exercise 3 times a week at least, and cut back on tea to 3 cups a day. I have to travel for 3 days this month and eat out all 3 meals and I want to be able to stay Op the whole time. I've always gone wild when we are away, eating way to much in restaurants and caring too much about the next meal.
This is a dangerous time for me cause I always ruin it when I start to see a change. Somehow, instead of being pleased, I trash it. I hope coming here where help.

I don't have to worry about Halloween cause no one ever comes up our long driveway. I stopped buying candy, cause no one would come and I would have to eat it all.
Laura

I will run it by my parents and see what they think. I know my mom is feeling a bit under the weather so not sure since Dad works on Sundays. Plan ahead laura, maybe even what restaurants you will go to if you know in advance and it is a familiar place for you. I know you can stay OP and no need to play 007 on yourself. Heaven knows I sure have done that a few times and it just so isn't worth it and then I had to relose what I had already done instead of pressing onto the goal.
Melissa

Melra, I am doing the virtual walk across america and am finding it super motivating to keep going with exercise. It's broken down into milestones, and it gives exactly where you are "walking" through in the country for each one. I am in milestone 5, my goal was to finish it this month but I didn't make it. So, I want to finish it and complete 6 in October. It's just over 100 miles, which I know I can do because I did it in August...and actually lost weight that month.

Melissa, I hope your mom took your son. I would be afraid to let him go, with the adult tension and then not knowing what those charges are...go with your gut and don't let him go. Mommies have a special connection and you cannot go wrong by following your gut.

I might be around more tomorrow than I normaly am on weekends, because hubby has to take his motorcycle to the dealer and get all kinds of stuff he ordered for it put on. Well, we learned that they charge $150 if they put it all on for you, and that they don't tell you that until AFTER they do it. We were very thankful a friend told us that, so he will be hauling it home in the truck and putting it on himself...150 bucks, sheesh. I'll be around the house bringing in the new month and getting situated on my new goals. I have been repeating "no red meat, no sugar, no fast food" over and over in my head all day. I feel like it's new years or something :lol:

Theresa

well i didn't go over my calories too much today, but for some reason i decided to have an extra dinner today. i could have gone without it, and i was not extraordinarily hungry, but i ate it anyway. well, what can i say.. i red-heart ravioli. i actually had ravioli for three meals today. you'd think i'd be sick of it by now, but i just can't get enough of the stuff. when i can find ways to incorporate cheese, bacon, or ice cream into my diet plan, i go whole-hog. emphasis on the hog of course :devil: i have slowed down on my weight loss, but i am going to write that off as just not being in a losing spurt right now (couldn't be all that ice cream, nawww). at least i haven't gained. :lol:
wish me luck tomorrow, y'all. i am going to a wedding (mmmm, cake!!), and after that, i am going to visit my friends in san diego (when i do that, for some reason i always go over on my calories.) last time i went there to visit was the unmentionable burrito incident (local burritos just don't do it for me.. s.d. burritos remind me of my youth i guess).

:dance: :dance: THE SCALE WENT DOWN!!! And I had to restep, restep, to make sure it wasn't lying to me. I'm down 2 lbs, not a bad way to start the month. Even though I didn't lose pounds in Sept., my body was doing something because I lost 5.5 inches (same I lose in Aug. with 8 lb. loss):

2 from chest
1 from hips
1 from thighs
1 from calves
.5 from ankles

I only count one ankle, one calf. Last month, I gained one on my calf, this month it came off, prob cause i did less exercise to pump them up. I lost from my waist last month and not from my ankle, so there is some difference in the areas here. I feel SO much better knowing I was doing something good while not losing pounds. The inches still came off, so I must have more muscle in there now :D

Theresa

Well aldies I will post teh New month hooray

opps *Ladies LOL

Awesome job on the inches and those pounds gone! Keep going and I don't know about you, but I adore moving that darn ticker down even if it is one!

For september I made my goals. I had a total loss of 18lbs. I never did measure myself but I suppose I should have just so I can see and with all the movement, I am sure I made my excersize goal too and then some. I am practically in constant motion. I scored some Halloween costumes for the kids through freecycle yesterday so I will pick those up today plus run a bunch of errends too. The other grandma is coming this afternoon to pick up the girls and take them birthday shopping together since their birthdays are so close together. So IF my support is finally here today, I will take Josh and grocery shop too. I can't believe how giddy I feel. I think right now I weigh what I did when I went in to deliver joshua 9 years ago or I am really close to it. We got a new month fresh start so let's go!
Melissa

I see we have a new board opened for the new month...catch ya all over there in Summer Starters 10/05 or whatever it's called.