I grew up with a diet that included a LOT of sticky rice - my dad's from Hawai'i - but in the last few years I've developed an appreciation for a good brown basmati rice. I like the nutty flavor.

Did W2D1 of C25k last night; my legs are hurting from it today, but I'm about to go for a brief walk to warm them up a bit then I'm coming back here and stretching, see if I can't relieve some of that soreness.

lol at his point i just want o keep losing, i have to wear a bridesmaid dress in May, and any amount i lose from now and then well make me feel better about wearing that dress than i do now, but of course 6-7 would be grand!

Hello All. Amanda here, I am 23 and have been married for 2 1/2 years. I lost 10lbs this summer from working out a little and counting calories. I gave up working out when it got cold and now I just eat alot. I know the habits that will make me fit and healthy, but I find it hard to say no to my favorite foods or when food is passed around at work. My stomach always feels hungry.

Ok so yesterday I totally stuck to my diet and didn't give in to any temptations even when I met a friend in town to do some shopping and she was like "im starving" and then she changed her mind once I decided I wasn't going to eat out. I did the 30 day shred yesterday and am just about to do it now....just wanted to give everyone an update. Lets hope next wednesday's weigh in is an awesome one:):)

Congrats on your self-control, BL!

I just went for a walk - Goddess wept, it's BELOW FREEZING. Why do people live in these temperatures? - and then came in and stretched. I'm so stiff. This is what I get for slacking off for a month. But I'm proud of myself for starting again - also for getting up with my alarm for the first time in for-fscking-ever. I'm going to go get myself a coffee to celebrate! (Sticking to espresso alone, though, don't worry!)

Hey Everyone! I'm Nicole, 26 years old. I'm married and the momma of two radical little girls. I work a full time 2nd shift job as a welder, do'er of dudely things...ha. I'm a procrastinator, I'm inconsistent. I'm a late night binger. I love food...cooking and baking....eating, reading about food, looking at pictures of food (tastespotting is my weakness). Yeah. So I have tried a million things and 'diets' don't do it for me. I aim to just try and count calories, staying between 1250-1450 for longer than a week. Giving it a honest chance for a period of time and see what gives. I don't want to feel deprived of the things I enjoy, but learn to have them in healthy moderation. I also plan to workout...doing something active at least 4-5 times a week.

Heya Nicole! I'd say, careful cutting your calories too low too fast. You can freak your metabolism out and actually end up sabotaging your efforts to lose weight in the long run. Perhaps try cutting to around 1500-1600/day? That plus some working out should still net you solid, consistent losses, with room to go lower if you need to later on. If you start in the 1200-1400 range, you have nowhere to go if you plateau.

Do you have a specific workout plan yet?

Nikaia- thanks for the thought...I have not really given that much thought to a higher calorie range.....I used one of those online calorie calculators....I understand your reasoning, but those numbers for some reason make me uneasy and fearful of gaining?

As for the workouts, I've got nothing really 'set in stone'. On Demand has those free workouts I can do anytime, I have an elliptical which totally kicks my a$$, so I hate doing it. Added bonus is my job has a very basic gym in house. A few months back I was following the Body for Life program which I actually really enjoyed minus the cardio, but lost my workout partner which in turn led me to slowly dwindle to not finishing the 12 weeks. Trying to stick with anything that's going to keep me going. I always want instant gratification, so then I get overwhelmed and then eventually quit before I'm able to see any payoff.

i SUCK at the exercisen part of weight loss. im trying to do stuff gradually. ive committed to working out on my days off once i have that habit i will bring it in even more.

i have stuck to plan today wonderfully! ive been peeing like crazy so hopefully all my TOM weight is gone.. i may weigh tomorrow...

ive made a decision, tomorrow night is my christmas party so ive decided not to drink. im driving. i know. shocking right? but that means i will be super on plan and i know what the menu is.

tomato soup to start, im gonna eat half. no bread!
then christmas dinner, so i will avoid all potatoes there and eat loads of veggies and turkey and dessert is lemon tart so i am having that providing its a small individual tart, if its large i will eat half, and no cream etc with it!

how are all my lovely ladies doing??

ready for a challenge yet ?!

Ive been pretty on plan, but ive been stressing out hardcore, so im having a hard time with it.

IM READY!!

PLEASE give me a challenge! I need a swift kick in the rear end!

So my boyfriend and our girlfriend and I are going to go get pictures taken - my Dad wants pics, although originally he just asked if I could get nice pictures done of Boyfriend and I, but that was before he knew about Girlfriend. So we're going to go get nice portrait-pics done, which I'm kinda dreading. I'm the "fat one" of us, although neither of them says stuff like that, but I still feel it. I'd rather wait and get pics when I'm skinny, but...if you always wait for that, you'll miss out on so much in the meantime. So I'm just going to suck it up, dress in something flattering, and make the best of it.

It's always good to have a plan Paula. My husband, who just started dieting with me lacks planning. He woke up late for work today and grabbed a steak mcskillet burrito from McDonalds... tsk tsk tsk. I think we're gonna start planning our meals out for the week. It leaves less room for cheating. Though, I don't want it to become some strict shedule.. that would drive anyone crazy.

The holidays are always a challenging time for will power.

Bring on the Challenge!! I know i need it.

I'm trying really hard to get exercise back into my routine and it just isn't happening. Tomorrow's the day, really... although I've been saying that almost every day!

I'm doing good. Actually crawled ma lard butt out of bed at 4 am this morning to hit the gym. I got there at about 5 and stayed for about an hour. Walked on the treadmill and did a slow 1.6 miles. Then came home and had breakfast. I went back to the gym at 10 and walked for another 1.4 miles for a grand total of 3 miles today :). Now, I'm just sitting here waiting for my hubby to come home and relax before our friend shows up for dinner.