Hey Whining,
How long ago did you have your baby? I hope that you can fit into your prebaby clothes soon. You'll save tons of money for sure. My sis had her baby last year, and she's still wearing her only pair of jeans, her pregnant ones! She's still skinny, like 130 pounds and 5'3" but she was 108 before. I think it's a slow process for her since she's more focused on the baby and not doing anything about the exercise. I found this workout DVD at the library, Fabulously Fit Mom: Jennifer Nicole Lee, and it has a move "Kiss the Baby". You workout with your baby. It's pretty clever, I haven't seen it but it could be a good motivator for you while you're at home.

------

I have been doing pretty good with diet, and happy to report DAY #4 binge free! I've been thinking about it, but I've fought hard to resist. It's getting easier to resist now. I think about saving the money for produce now, since fruits and veggies are starting to cost more. I just shopped today for groceries, $60! Could be the cost of gas to transport produce from farms? I also have been jogging to the park versus driving there to do my jogging to save gas. Really the struggling economy could help me get back into shape! LOL...still looknig for a job :(

As far as exercising goes, today was just okay. I did 1 hr and 45 min of cardio machines and only burned like 550 cals. It's getting harder since my legs are soooo sore. I did manage to do some strength training this week, which I haven't done in ages, which is a big improvement this week.

LT/Ann/Jacki....hope you are all okay and getting back on track. Hope to see you here soon too! :)

Hi ladies,

Well, I had an interesting day yesterday. I was walking the dogs and slipped and fell. I broke a bone in my foot. Spent a couple of hours in the ER and now I'm unable to put any weight on this foot until I visit the ortho on Monday and find out how he wants to proceed. Ugh. Guess I should l be grateful that it wasn't worse, but geez this is just another setback for me right now. Thank goodness DH has been great. He's going to have to really help out with household and childcare stuff until I get can literally get back on my feet.

Beila and Whining--Congrats on the waistline improvements. I'm so jealous of the concavity in your waists. I'll just be happy to have one roll instead of two. LOL.

Whining--My "baby" is 4 years old and I weigh more than I did when I went in the hospital to have her. Glad you're trying to get control of it now. It is so much harder with a little one and pregnancy really does change the body (at least for me). I just can't lose weight like I used to. I'm sure my age is a factor too.

Beila--Congrats on binge free!!!!! You're doing great! Can you tell me what you've discovered with your recent books? Been thinking of checking out The Fat Smash Diet. Have you read that one? Any impressions?

Take care ladies.

Forgot to mention that I am completely heartbroken as well by what went on in Japan. I hope you two on the west coast are not impacted at all. What a tragedy.

Also, I had to delete my ticker as I just cant stand looking at the lack of movement right now and I feel so off track. :(

It is so heartbreaking what is happening in Japan. I am happy to say that our friends who are stationed there are all okay. Now on to worrying about the nuclear plant. I pray that they get that under control soon.

Ann - I'm so sorry! I hope your ortho appt on Monday goes well.

Beila - I was just telling my husband the same thing the other day. I was taking off my shirt in front of the mirror the other day, and thought I could see the difference in my midsection. It is great motivation to keep going. Next time you feel a binge, think about your curves!

WELCOME Whining!! We need some cheerleaders here so post often. I am ready for the zombie apocalypse any day too. My kids even look in the back seat before getting into the car. You can never be too careful. lol. (I think we have watched one too many movies.) Right now my favorite is Zombieland.
I went low-carb starting yesterday. I am just changing things up. Believe me, I can't eat like this forever. Just wanted to shake it up for a bit and see what happens. Are you really strict with your low carbs? I started induction yesterday.

We are letting our oldest fly on a plane on Tuesday to see dad. Then they are driving back together from Mississippi. Great bonding time for them. :D So I need to get it together this week because they will be back before I know it.

Not to freak anyone out, but March 17th is in 5 days!!!!! I will be in the 160's. ttyl.

Hola Chicas!

Here's a carrot WHOO WHOOOT for noticing changes, no matter how big or small! Even the slightest changes add up and we should give our selves the credit!!

:carrot::carrot::carrot:

The scale may not be moving in the right direction, but let's keep ourselves moving in the right direction! It's the only way...

I've been listening to this song in my workouts, one of my faves in my playlist...by Natasha Bedingfield, "Touch":

Every choice we make
And every road we take
Every interaction
Starts a chain reaction
We're both affected when we least expect it
And then when we touched
And it all connected

I think the above really speaks to me cause it's about making every decision count towards a happier, better me in the end. On some days, when I'm feeling low, sometimes my lowest point of the week, I just start to make a small decision which would ultimately lead me to doing something better for myself through a chain reaction. For instance if I don't want to go to they gym, I'll just try putting socks on. Then some workout pants. After while, I'm almost fully dressed to go to they gym. Before you know it, I've made the decision to workout at the gym. And then for the rest of the day, I'll eat healthy and set myself up for another good day thereafter.

Ann--I'm really sorry to hear about your injury. If it makes you feel any better, consider this time a healing time, a time to focus mentally, and prepare yourself for challenges ahead. When it comes to losing weight, your greatest strength is not measured physically, but mentally. From what I'm reading in Dr. Ian Smith's book, "4-day Diet," so far it's been mostly about being mentally prepared. What I like about this book is that it really tries to get you in the right mindset first. The first 100 pages is all about the mental preparedness of starting a weight loss journey. He says in the into: "Lack of Mental preparation before beginning a weightloss program is the first and biggest mistake people make before starting on their journey. If you don't get your mind in the right place, it will only work against you, like an anchor dragging behind a boat that is trying to move forward in the water. But pull up that anchor--get your mind ready for what's to come--and that boat will go forward with full force." He goes on to say: "Your mind will lead you in your battle of the bulge, and your body will execute the mind's strategy." Make total sense cause you know how hard I've been exercising 6-7 days a week, and then sabotaging my effort cause of my binges. I should be losing MUCH more weight but my mind is not strong enough. I really hope you can find this book in the library, or a similar one on Amazon, which discusses psychology of weight loss. I believe it's so key when you're dealing with weight loss on your own (sans trainer, nutrionist, personal chef, etc.) Hope this helps lead you in the right direction!

LT--Glad to hear you are trying something new. Are you doing Low Carb, like refined processed carbs? I find that cutting out the refined processed carbs helps me lose weight. Like more veggies though, which are carbs, so in essence, I still eat carbs.

I'm looking to change things up again this week. Maybe 1000 calories every other day, and 1400 every other day. Like zig zag method mentioned on the calorie website from Ann. I feel like I'm not making major progress, and I'm looking at each angle of my strategy. I started doing weight training last week, so doing that 2 times a week to start off. Splitting up my exercise routine, so AM and PM workouts for the "after burn effect", the only other thing I can think of is the diet or calories is not working.

I have noticed a little reduction in my appetite increase in energy while taking Ab Cuts and the Chromium. So I'll continue with that. Starting my days off with Green Tea too the past few days helps as well.

I'm thinking about NOT posting my weigh-in tomorrow and instead doing it St. Patty's Day. Sorry but I still need some time, and I don't want to feel bad like last week since I don't feel that I lost any weight again this past week.

Last night I went out to a bar w/ my friend, and have to give myself props for not totally going overboard with drinking/eating. I managed to only gain 1/2 pound. It could have been A LOT WORSE. The good thing is that I feel like I am learning my self-control methods, and have a sense of restraint that I haven't felt in so long. For those who don't know what binging is like, think of it in terms of alcoholism. I deal with food like an addiction. But I'm just happy that I'm gaining a better sense of control.

I'm also praying for us girls! It's hard to go through this alone, and I hope to see more of you (and new chicks) here. Keep up your positive spirits and count your blessings!

Ann - hope your foot is feeling better. :hug:

Beila - thanks for the post. I always know that if my head isn't in the right place my exercising/diet always suffer.
I am doing the atkins version of low carb. So carbs only from veggies and some condiments. Keeping them as low as possible. I watched fathead the other day on hulu, and that gave me the last push to change up the diet.

Glad to hear that the Ab cuts is working. It is also awesome that you are finding self control getting easier. Maybe it is all with the mental preparedness.

As for me, I am staying on plan. Went to a baby shower yesterday, and movies today. That's right no popcorn, or cake and had iced tea at the movies. :) While my friend (the fitness challenge buddy) had nachos and a box of candy. :devil:

I am feeling good. I also know that I am ready for the new week. 160's here I come (again). lol.

Good Morning ladies! It's Monday so here it is...
174.4/-2.8/171.6

Let's see if I can get to the 160's by Thursday. I started off the week on a good note. I went and ran on the treadmill this morning. Yay me! And believe me, I didn't want to go. Hit snooze like 5 times. Tomorrow is spin class so no hittng snooze tomorrow. I just need to get back into the habit of getting up early again.

5 more days until DH comes home. I'm so excited! It has been a long 10 months. Hopefully we will be finding out where we are moving to next soon too. I really want to move before the next school year starts.

ttyl.

Good morning!

Here's my Weigh-in...I decided to just do it after all, since although I'm not on track for my St. Patty's goal, I should still report the weight so that we can keep encouraging each other ;)

Drum roll....

152/-1/151

I've been seeing the scale at 150.5-151.5 so that is a good sign. :)

This past Sunday was a bit too much, I went to Souplantation, which I could have cut some stuff out (like dessert and bread), but didn't eat dinner to make up for it.

Monday's always makes me feel better, cause it's like a new start. Time to get focused! Thursday is approaching and I really want to get into 140's. If not the 145 goal that I set out for myself, at least in the 140's.

LT--Seems like we need to motivate each other to our next stage! Congrats on your weight loss! Almost 3 pounds lost! That's amazing!

On a good note, my old neighbor is doing a weight loss challenge with me! She only needs to lose 5 pounds, me 20, but she's a lot older, like 60 years old, and I know I can lose at least 10 pounds by the time she loses 5 pounds. We're doing weigh-ins, walking every weekday together while I run in the park, keeping in contact with each other, etc. It's nice to finally get weightloss support from a friend that will be doing the weight loss with me.

Successes from this past week:

-Worked out twice on 2 of the days and really noticed a difference the next day (lost 1-2 pounds the next day of working out twice).
-Energy has been up
-Binging is under control now. I feel like it's over now and I can put it behind me and not do it anymore going forward.
-My mind is more clear and I feel like I can handle stress better. If the scale moves up or down, I feel like it won't be put me in a "bad place" in my mind.

My goals this week:

-Keep trying to do cardio twice a day with more intensity.
-Start "interval training" which burns more calories and fat (see article I read this morning below)
-1000-1400 cals alternating days (zig zag method)
-Stay on diet track even if I go out to eat.
-140's already! sorry sounds like a broken record...By St. Patty's Day!

Here's the article about interval training and why it burns fat faster:

http://www.prevention.com/health/fit...013281eac____/

Good morning. I am getting ready to take my DS to the airport to fly down with his dad. I am freaking out just a little. It is his first time flying by himself. I was okay with it until DH told me he was freaking out. Last time we flew we made him make all the decisions and followed him around the airports and he did great. That's why I am not so worried. But my DH is freaking me out. lol.

Since I am taking him to the airport this morning, I couldn't go to spin class. :( I will have to come home and do something else. I'm thinking BL game/workout. That will get me ready to watch tonight!
I put the scale away until Thurday. I am trying to break the habit of being scale obsessed. Plus I think I will stay on plan better if that makes sense. I think that if I am down throughout the week that I have a tendency to cheat a little. So I am trying something new. Better stay on plan, cause I don't know where my weight is and I want a good number this week.

my goals this week:
workout 2 times a day (starting tomorrow lol)
eat on plan (low carb, low carb, low carb)
drink more water
160's already (yes I sound like a broken record too, but I really want it this week)

Well, I need a cup of coffee, so I will check in later. Bye.

Oh and Beila, thanks for the article. That may be something I need to add. Just not sure where to put it into my plan.

Hey LT,
You and ur DH seem stressed out over things. I am sure everything will be okay. I am happy ur hubby will be with u soon. (Sorry for the spellings, I am on blackberry at the moment). Good to hear ur alternate goals for this week too. Dr. Ian's book says its good to have goals other than the number on the scale so that it keeps u motivated and moving toward ur big goal. Also, he says ur goals should not be fixed targets, and should be constantly changing to adapt to our environments and be prepared to adjust it to what is realistic. So even if thursday's goal is missed, at least you can set a new one soon after.

----

So yesterday I did the high intensity interval training as suggested in the article I posted, and I burned tons of calories FASTER than ever before! 600 calories in one hour! I did it on the treadmill manually adjusting the speed every other minute to 4.0mph and 7.0-8.0mph for a minute. Also did the stairclimber's interval program, which automatically goes from 50steps/min to 75 steps/min every 90 seconds. It really works better than the moderate pace I was doing before!

I highly suggest it!

Well talk later!

I am feeling less stressed. My son just texted that he is at the gate for his last flight. So unless he falls asleep and no one wakes him up (not very likely), all is well. They will both be back home in 4 days. So no more stress.

Trying to get off my butt and get moving. I cleaned the whole upstairs yesterday. So I need to move on to the first floor. I sat in the car for 3 hrs this morning (round trip to airport). Guess I should stop posting and get going.

chat with ya later.

Tonight's BL is good. I like seeing how to cook low cal meals, and getting creative with it. Eating an apple and mozzarella stick with peppermint tea for dinner. I ate waaay to many cashew nuts today, so tryna keep my dinner calories low. I only managed to walk for 1.5 hrs with my friend today, burning 320 calories. Will try better tomorrow. Yesterday was pretty intense, burning 1000 cals, so I guess today was a rest day.

Hope all is well out there. Miss u all who are MIA on this thread. Come back soon!

So happy for you! Sounds like your son made it there fine. Not too much longer until you're all reunited and under one roof.

Beila--Thanks for the article. I had just started doing a 1 hour circuit training workout before my injury. It had me sweating from minute 1 to minute 60. Great full body workout. Can't wait to do it again.

All's well here. My foot is better than we thought. Saw an ortho yesterday and it isn't broken (ER doc was wrong). I did tear a tendon, however, so I won't be fully recovered for 12 weeks. However, he did clear me for no impact activities such as biking and upper body weights once the swelling goes down and I can wear my sneakers comfortably.

Eating has been disastrous, but I won't bore you with the details. Let's just say that I haven't been doing myself proud these last few days. :(

I am excited to see the rest of you meet your st. patty's goals!