300+ And Ready To Try Again...#841
 

WELCOME !!!

We are a group of individuals who weigh or have weighed 300+, or near there. This group was formed to provide a place for others like us to find support and hope. We are aware of the distinct problems that come with weighing over 300 lbs.

We want to invite everyone to join us in our journey.
We share laughter and tears.
We share what works for us and what doesn't.
We often use a "Topic of the Day" for discussion.

Motivational Monday
Tuesday Tips
Wednesday Wish List .. and What you are doing to obtain it.
Thankful Thursday
FUN Friday ... don't wait until you lose your weight.
Sit-up Saturdays - any physical activity
Share your Success Sunday
These are not required topics ...just ideas to share. We often find them very helpful. We also share heartaches and fears ... joys and celebrations.

We have several extra threads going on simutaneously such as Monthly Challenges, Weekly Weigh-ins, Recipes, Bios, and more. Please feel free to check them all out.

We have found this thread to be more than just a support group...
we have found it to become a home. We invite you to join us.

WELCOME!

I know you'll all agree that we are really thankful for the free services here at 3FC. The sisters offer all of this support and information with no charges to us. There are a couple of ways though that we can help out.

If you are thinking about buying anything at Amazon, why not help out 3FC at the same time? You can do this by clicking on the button for Amazon on any page in the forum, or by clicking on the button on the main 3FC page at www.3fatchicks.com . A portion of your purchase price will be given to 3FC by Amazon. It doesn't increase your price at all, but it does help out 3FC. You can use any of the Amazon.com links that you see on the site in order to help contribute to the site.

Also, BTW, in case you didn't know it, you can view the message boards "ad free" for a minimal charge. I think it's like $15 for 6 months. A very small investment to be rid of the annoying ads and make your pages load quicker.

There have been some concerns expressed by the powers that be about copyright infringement. So please, if you are directly quoting someone else or printing an article in whole or in part, please give credit where credit is due!!!!

2LosinIt - Have you been to Disney before? I've been to the one in Orlando 4 times I believe, and I just LOVE it! You're never "too old" to have a fantastic time there, and that's one of the things I love about it!! I managed to just catch Sasha's performance on the Olympics last night, and boy did she kick BUTT! I think she's going to get the gold.

Wyllenn - Well, dang! I didn't think that they really POPPED!

Crock - Today was my lucky day at school, and both my classes got cancelled...my health because she had jury duty, and Criminal Justice, because the guy's first grandchild was just born.

Brenda - Was the peanut butter in addition to the cocoa powder? I wouldn't mind experimenting a bit, but the recipe as it was was VILE! lol...

Finally got my taxes done and filed. Looks like I'm getting back most of what I paid in, since I only made a little less than $2300 last year! UGH. Called a place that was looking for part time home health aides...could do that during the week, and have my job that I have now every other weekend, like now...they are going to send me an application, and then I have to go for an interview all the way in Kalamazoo, MI! That's about a 45 minute drive from here for me.

LOL - I was about to post on the other thread and I thought to myself - I better refresh the screen to see if Kayley has closed this thread yet. Thanks Kayley for keeping an eye on the thread lenghths.

Teresa – Welcome to 3FC and the 300+ thread! It is hard to say how much weight you could lose by July. The standard figure is 1 to 2 pounds per week, but larger people tend to lose more at first. So you might be able to be down by around 50 pounds, however for myself I am hesitant to put dates on goals because I don’t want to feel like I have failed if I don’t make a number by a certain date. Our bodies, while in some ways totally logical, can also act quite fickle at times causing strange fluctuations.

Shelly - I am glad that your weigh-in at TOPS was a success. Definitely try not to get too worried about scale fluctuations over the week. Also, it is best not to compare different scales, as some can be very inaccurate.

Heather - If you are having trouble absorbing the iron you might look into the liquid version (you can find it in most health food stores). It is more expensive, but I had a friend with anemia who said it was way better for her than taking pills.

Well, another workday when my lunchtime has extended just a bit too long. Maybe I will have some computer time tonight, but it is hard between working out after work and two hours of American Idol. :)

Kayley - Thanks! You are really kickin butt too! :cool:

I remember you posting about a YMCA membership a while ago. I looked into the YMCA near me, but it is somewhat expensive and I would most like to take a water aerobics class but they are all during the day.

Was a gym at school an option? Mine had one and use of it was included in our semester general fees. It might be more intimidating to work out around classmates, but it sure beats nothing.

Well School cancelled yet another day, Which turned out good, Dad is in the hospital, taken care of the kidney stones, and I am here with my sick(bronchitis) Brother (15) and Mom, of course is with dad,, I am the middle kid at 34,, I bet they never thought that I would be the one taking care of them,,,LOL I guess things happen for a reason, I got injured, taken away from my Career, Had to sell off, and Moved back in with Parents "temporarily" and they seem to have needed me more than ever these last couple months.. SO I dont feel like such a burdon now.
My BEST Friend decided I needed guideance this morning, and we were on the phone for 1.5 hrs.. She is VERY concerned that Me not having, the things that I want is going to result in failure, I tried to explain to her that for right now that I am NOT having Chips, sugars, reg Milk, Cake, I because one bite leads to a binge for me, As I am obsessed with food My life revolves around It, it is my compfort, sadness, happiness,loneliness,anger, All of my emotions revolve around food, AND I have to control this addiction I have, She said that if i want something to eat it, just in protion control,,I cant, I am learning to eat healthy and she says I have an obsession with that now, I feel that once I can open the fridge and know and understand that I can choose the right kinds of food, then and only then I will be getting somewhere, I know I am obsessed with food, **** as soon as I wake that is the thing that gets me out of bed, However, that has ceased, now that I am not craving all the time
I am not thinking of food when I awake now,, that , to me is a step in the right direction, I now that I can not lose weight and gain it all back , I went through this once and it has devastated me, And if it were to happen again, you may as well put me 6 ft under, I though long and hard , did some serious soul searching before changing my LIFE this time, and I try not to take this as a diet, it is a change of life, if I go a week with no weight loss, and know I did everything right, oh well,, my life is what is changing and the weight I do lose will be the bonus,, Once I lose 50 lbs or so, Maybe I will have a weekend of what ever I choose, However, when I am ready to do this I will know, but first I need to be in control of what I eat and do, as I am introducing foods back in Phase II, if I have cravings and trigger the food that caused it, it is something I cant have but on a LIMITED basis, She had made her a Chicken Sandwich yesterday, and apologized several times that she was eating in front of me,,, I explained the her NOT to do that I am changing my life not her! It is like smoking, to me If you quit and go 3 or 4 weeks without smoking and think ahhhhhhhh it has been three weeks since I last had a cigarette I will have one today,,, What happens? you begin smoking again, that is me with food, If I eat the chip, cookies, cake and sugars I will be eating it all the time, I am a bad food addict,, I have to work at this with the """12 Steps" you know what I mean? I may be babbling, however I need to get this off my chest, I am feeling to overwhelmed , And I need to share this with you guys, I know she means well, but I really brought me down, NOT to cheat or go off of my new Life, Just to wonder how do I take the steps not to be obsessed with food, Healthy or Bad??? am I that big of a mess,,,??????????????? I dont know, I feel there is much more to say, but I am done for now............ Sorry to be the downer for the day,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Take Care all.,

I also posted this on the other thread on SBD, but I needed and wanted to share my pissy day with you guys as well........

Nancy - I go to a community college, and although they DO have a gym, that's up at the main campus, which is about a half hour drive from where I live...and with gas as expensive as it is, I really can't afford that. :(

Crock - My friends tend to do this as well...saying that they are sorry for eating something in front of me...and I just have to tell them that it's a change in MY life, not theirs. I hope you get to feeling better. :hug: They are lucky you are there to care for them when they need you. :hug:

Well, I'm going to see about getting off of here, and working out a bit, as my lunch is about settled. Then, maybe see about going through a bunch of my clothes, and getting everything PUT AWAY, as my room looks like a war zone! Have a great afternoon, chicks!

Speaking of doctors, I wanted to share a part of an interesting article I saw today in the NY Times. Here is a quote:

"With all the tools available to modern medicine — the blood tests and M.R.I.'s and endoscopes — you might think that misdiagnosis has become a rare thing. But you would be wrong. Studies of autopsies have shown that doctors seriously misdiagnose fatal illnesses about 20 percent of the time. So millions of patients are being treated for the wrong disease.

As shocking as that is, the more astonishing fact may be that the rate has not really changed since the 1930's."

What this says to me is that if your instinct tells you that your doctor has it wrong, there is a good probability that they may be. Doctors don't know everything and aren't infallible. It is vital to understand what is going on for ourselves and work with our doctors to help make sure we are getting the right treatment. That is especially important for us, since many doctors will look at us and think what is wrong has to do with our weight.

The entire article is here, but you probably have to set up a user account (free) to see it: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/22/bu...=1&oref=slogin

Crock - People often feel that if something works for them, then it is their job to impose that on everyone else since they know it worked - FOR THEM. If you know that what you are doing is working for you, thank your friend for her concern, but kindly let her know that you have found what is working for you. We are all different and our issues with food and exercise are all different. Just because it works for her, doesn't mean at all that it will work for you. :hug: Please don't let your friend get you down.

It is snowing here. I’m getting ready to hit my version of the gym, that means doing the Stairmaster up and down to the basement doing laundry, and hitting the weights by shoveling snow. The snow is new enough to me that I am mesmerized by it, and enjoy the shoveling. I went to the Wal-Mart for the first time here. It looks pretty much like the ones back in Florida, except the entrance was very small, I guess to keep the cold air out as much as possible. Labels were also in French/English. In Florida everything is in English/Spanish.

Heather-tell your husband good luck. There is nothing wrong with a man working hard with his hands to support his family. We can’t all sit at home working on a computer.

Teresa-I’m going to be 44 in March as well. What comforts me is that I could easily be 600 lbs or worse right now. I wish I was 150, but I know that with disciple and taking all the help I can get, I will be smaller on my 45th birthday than I was on my 43rd.

hey there guys, I'm waiting for my ride but will talk when I get home tonight.

kayley~ i replaced the butter with peanut butter (most of it) as I didn't have enough lowfat butter. I also used vanilla extract. It certainly doesnt taste like the real thing but I asked hubby what he thought of it and he said it is better than eating what I cooked last night for supper *LOL* I made speghetti squash. Let's just say, it isn't something I will make for HIM again!!!

Brenda :wave:

So my fabulous fiancee called me at work today with a little surprise...instead of our regular Wednesday routine (quick dinner, WW, coffee, tv) he is taking me out somewhere special for dinner tonight since my birthday is next Thursday and he will be in class. So we'll go WI and not stay for the meeting..which is OK too. We're having a party on Sunday and I am going out to dinner with my girlfriends on my birthday next Thursday...but he wanted to do something special with me.

Of course..it looks like I have an eye infection, so that's not super romantic, but what can you do?

Crockett: I confess that I have become obsessive about food. One of my best friends has GBS surgery about 2 years ago. She lost 100 lbs and was well on her way to a much healthier lifestyle...when she got very sick and has been plagued with health problems ever since. She has gained back almost all of her weight and doesn't seem to be in a place right now to deal with that on top of everything else. In October she screamed at me for taking about food and much as I do. She said that as much as she understands what a huge part of my life this has become that she is sick and tired of hearing about it and that all it does it make her feel like crap. I of course never meant for that to happen...but now it's hard to talk to her sometimes. Be thankful for the people around you who are concerned for you and want to see you succeed and be happy and healthy. It can also be hard for people who do not have our same struggles to empathize with us.

Jason's grandfather had an angiogram the other day and whatever they saw made them want to do surgery soon...he need an artery reattached to his heart...or something like that. We're worried about him and hope that everything will be OK. Not sure yet when the surgery is..but soon.

Hope everyone else is well.

8 Days!!!

OOh quick update...I just did a BMI calculation, and my BMI has gone from 53.5 to 38.3. Still in the "obese" category...but way better than it was!!!

:) Hi Ladies,

I am feeling so much better thanks so much to you all! I am so blessed to have found this site last year. Ok, a while ago I posted about a job interview I had. Well, I got a letter in the mail last week from them saying although they really liked me and I was their top choice, they had to hire someone within their facility who applied at the last minute and thanks for applying. So, I was pretty depressed about it but then just decided to give it to God that He knows what is best for me etc. Well, this morning I got a phone call from them telling me that they really wanted to hire me last week but like the letter said their policy is to hire from within first and the lady that they promoted is not working out in the position at all and would I please come to work for them because there is no one else they want to hire! I was so thrilled and I told her yes. So, I start my new job on Monday the 27th :carrot: Also, I have been very op for the past few days since I got all my great pep talks from you wonderful ladies and I jumped on the :goodscale early cause weigh day is on Friday but I am down 5 of those pounds that I gained after Christmas. :dance: I won't change my tracker yet until after Friday's weigh in offically.

Tashabella: I am praying things are going to be just fine for you with your second Dr. visit. :hug: Hang in there. I am the one who asked you about your job. I will also pray that you can find a better job really soon.


Catherine: I try to pass the mirror :fr: when naked. I commend you for looking. I think I will get to the point but I hate to look right now because I am feeling more positive and I know that will bring me down. Isn't snow grand! I am still new to the snow also and I think it is so beautiful. My husband and I love to go out into the country with our dogs and let them run and play in the snow. They are new to the snow too and love it.

Ammi: Thanks sweetie for checking on me. Yes I am better back on op and feeling hopeful. That is the :D best feeling in the world to me. Hopeful that there is hope not all is lost.

Heather: Good luck to your hubby getting the job. :crossed:

Teresa: :wel3fc: I'm looking forward to being on this journey with you.

Crock: Wow! Splitting :lifter: firewood is the best exercise. You go girl. I haven't done hard labor stuff like that in years. I'm impressed.

Garnetfairy: -20 pounds so far since Jan. 1st is so :carrot: great! Keep up the good work.

Princesspuffypants: LOL You crack me up. Ok, wild hair has been :sorry: clipped! I'm sorry. I was so down and depressed and just wanted to crawl in bed. Thanks to all of you and my hubby I am back and doing well. My attitude has been adjusted!

2Losinit: I have been watching the olympics pretty much daily if I can. I love them. I think they are all wonderful. I especially like the women's ice skaters and speed skating. I look forward to when I get some weight off and I am fit enough to try snow :shocksn: skiing again. It has been years.

Christine: Yea for you! 10% of your weight loss is :hat: so great.

Wylenn: Oh my, I swear every day when I get on my ball I cringe thinking that at any second it's gonna blow! I have seen one do that before when my nephew was on it but he accidentally poked it with something while bouncing. Hope you get back up on the ball and it doesn't scare you off.;)

Robwen: Congrats on -2. :) That is super.

To everyone else. Keep on trying we can do this with each other's support:grouphug:

Blessings,
Dogpal

Kayley -- Luckily the pop was really more of a fizzle... all the air just started draining out. I'm actually wondering if part of the reason was because we kept the ball "out of the way" against our glass door. It's been really really cold (0 degress fahrenheit!) and I wonder if that would bother it. As Dogpal said, I will get back "on the ball" -- plan to buy another one this weekend!

Dogpal -- That's great news about the job! Fantastic!! :carrot: worthy!

Hi, guys.

MsCrockett ~ I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am having the same problems with food/diet. I even went on the Internet today seeking information about Food Addicts Anonymous. I don't know the answers, but I can tell you that the more people tell me I am fat and I must lose weight, the more obsessed I become with food and dieting.

I don't know how to get off the rollercoaster either. I know losing weight should be all about me (for my reasons), but there are too many people who are sticking their nose in my business and making me anxious about it. I have again twice had thoughts about sticking my finger down my throat and am in a bad place. These people ARE NOT helping us by pushing, even if they truly are trying to help. I do not know the answers, but I think we have to find peace within ourselves first. I think we need to tell everyone else to step off.

Please know that you are not alone. I know how you feel. I am thinking of you and sending you caring vibes.

Notthecheat ~ That is scary as **** and I believe it. The death rate at our local hospital is about five times higher than the one where I used to live. That's why I drive 45 minutes to the doctor. The one here scares me to death! It's like the "Roach Motel" ~ they check in, but they don't check out.

Dogpal ~ Congratulations on the job! I know they will just love you. You are such a nice person and you deserve good things in your life.

Thank you for praying for me for a job. I had a fight with my boss today where I was actually yelling at him (I never yell at work, ever). There is a second manipulative co-worker who is higher up who is playing games. He has accused me several times recently of "misinterpreting" their abuse when I try to address it. I can't take it anymore. It's making my life very bad and I have to get away from there. I have practically begged God for help. I know he does things in His time, but maybe if several people ask...

QUESTION:

I was posting about polycystic ovary syndrome and Metformin a couple of weeks ago and one of you told me you stopped your meds and treat it in a more natural way with a cream. Can you tell me what that is?

My hormone pills I take to control bleeding are causing me severe depression and the Zoloft the doctor gives me for depression is causing me anxiety. I want to stop the meds, but I need a way to control the bleeding. Can you tell me about what you use and if it helps?

I can't take the way I feel anymore and I want to stop the meds altogether. I would appreciate any information you would be willing to share. The hormones are making all the other problems feel so much worse than they would if hormones weren't an influence. I haven't felt "normal" since I've been on the hormone pills.

Dogpal - That is FANTASTIC news about the job!!! What are you going to be doing? :) And congrats on the unofficial loss! :D Way to hop back on the wagon!!! :D :hug:

Julee - I hope in a year to be able to report the same kind of success you had!!! :D

Wyllenn - Good luck with the new one! ;)

Well, I've done about 4 loads of laundry, and I'm not even CLOSE to being done! Going to make some phone calls, watch some Olympics, and WASH MORE LAUNDRY! UGH!

Kayley -- yes, I've been to Disney World -- that that was 20 years ago! :) and I only went to Magic Kingdom ... we're doing all the parks while we're there. I LOVE theme parks and roller coasters and being a kid. (yeah.. I ealy love the fooood in amusement parks too... yikes!) :)

Dogpal --- YEAHHHHHHHH for you!! Congrats on the JOB ---way to GO girl!!!

And Julee-- WOW on the BMI! you're doing so well!!

Crock -- it's really hard when those important in our lives--like our best friends--don't really get it. I'm sure it's out of love and meant with the best of intentions, but sounds like what she doesn't get is that there are many of us who can't just "eat what we want, just in portioncontrol" because if we were good at that we wouldn't be needing to do this now! I suggest you simply thank her for her concern, repeat that you need to control this in a way that works best for YOU and her support for that is really needed as your best friend. And keep going, girlfriend! :flow2:

I have so much to do before I can be gone for a week -- ARRRG! When we planned this trip, it sounded like a great idea at the time... now I'm feeling like I shouldn't be away form work for so long. I'm getting into a busy time, I'm trying to hire a new staff member... starting a lot of projects... but... ready or not---Mickey, here I come! :cool: I leave Saturday. I'm taking my laptop since I'll need to check in with work a few times... so I may be able to stop in here a couple times and check in. but.... I hope to be in the sun at the pool as muchas I can! :beach:

High fives to everyone doing well.... :dancer:
Good vibes for everyone who need some extra good thoughts...:goodvibes
Hugs to everyone!!! :hug:

Crock- did that same person ever say anything about how bad it was when you were eating tons of junk food? Isn't it funny how when you start a diet & trying to make healthy changes in your life that everyone thinks they have the right to tell you what to do...and to point out if you're doing something they think is wrong. Yet these same people never cared when we were killing ourselves with food. You have to do what is best for you and as long as you are watching that you are getting enough calories & a balanced diet, then that's fine.


I do have a question for those of you on the SBD- does it allow any carbs in Phase I? A friend of mine does better with the lower carb diets, but she didn't like the strictness of Atkins. I can't do low carb because of my kidney situation (have to limit the amount of protein I eat at one time since it can be hard on the kidneys), but from what I've heard, SBD is the more reasonable and balanced nutritionally of the lower carb type diets.


wyllenn- my first ball popped...but it was because my cat decided to push off with his paws as he jumped off it :D I forgave him and got another one and it lasted several years...its still okay, I just moved up to a taller one for sitting at my desk & its easier to use it for exercises too. For anyone who has a stability ball, the resistant band strap set you can get at WalMart to go with it is so worth it, even if you don't use the resistance bands. It has two belts that go around the ball to attach the resistance bands to...they make it easier to grab the ball, especially when you're trying to sit on it at your desk & stuff.


Going2Lose & Kaylee- Can you use Splenda on Phase I? What about cream cheese? Let me know & I'll see if I wrote down all the ingredients when I made that sugar free peanut butter cheesecake. I used it for a cheesecake ball for dipping cookies in, so I didn't make a crust, but you could probably use chopped peanuts if you want a crust...or maybe some of the low carb brownies you made? I did use fat free cream cheese, so the only fat came from the peanut butter...and I use real peanut butter from the health food store that is still peanut until pull the lever and the machine grinds it for you (I love it when its still warm on the way home ;) )


Julee- that really had to be a strain on your friendship- it not like you were telling her she needed to do anything different, just that you were. Even when I was so sick with the gastroparesis a few years ago that I couldn't eat at all (was totally dependent on the feeding tube then) & food commercials were almost too much to watch, I still couldn't have said anything to one of my friends when they were talking about the great dinner they had the night before. My life had changed, but it didn't mean theirs did.


dogpal- that is so cool about the job- and you get to start on Monday- WooHoo!!!


Tasha- I don't think people realize there is a lot more to dieting then just eating less & moving more...if it were that simple, none of us would be here, would be? There is so much of an emotional & psychological component that really doesn't get talked about- losing the weight is only one part of the battle, we have to make the changes in our way of thinking in order to maintain our weight loss & healthy lifestyle.


I get to see the dietitian on Monday about finding another feeding tube formula and to see if she has any suggestions regarding tyring to eat, lose weight & all, along with medical stuff I deal with. I still can't believe how many years I put up with the problems, not realizing they were caused by the very thing that was suppose to be helping me...UGGHHHHHH- it makes me so mad :mad:

2LosinIt - All the parks are great!!! Although, actually, I never went to the Animal Kingdom...but the other 3 are fantastic!!! I envy you...going swimming, and into the warm weather for you! AH! I wouldn't feel TOO guilty. A reward for doing so well on your plan so far!!! :)

Managed to squeeze in a workout there. Going to e-file my taxes instead of mailing them so that I can get my MONEY FASTER! lol! Since I'm doing so good on my exercise minutes this month...(and I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to do so well), I'm thinking of setting my goal for next month at 500 minutes! That'd be 200 more than this past month. Let's see if I can do it! I can't believe that there's only really about 5 days left in this month! That means I've got 22 days to lose 11 pounds...I think I can, I think I can!

just a quick note - weighed in today! down 3.6 - which after the last 2 weeks 2 lb gain im down another 1.6!! just had to share!!

be back later :)

Good WI tonight...down another 1.6!!!

YAY DOGPAL on the new job!!!

I stare at my balance ball every day and don't know what to do with it. It's not big enough for me to use while i sit at the computer...what are some good basic exercises?

I'm sorry I haven't had the time to read any post since sunday, we've had a death in the family and I have been over there trying to do all I can to help out with everything. My cousin, who's more like a brother than a cousin, and his wife lost their two month old baby early mon morning to what they are preliminarily saying is SIDS. if you wouldn't mind saying a prayer or keeping them in your thoughts, they can use all of the help they can get right now. The funeral will be fri morning. I'll try to catch up this weekend if I can. I hope that everyone has a great week.

My cats never really bothered my exercise ball...and the one that popped was partly my fault- I went to set him down on the couch and the ball was right in front of it and his back claws must have went out just enough. I do have to be careful when I use it at my computer because that same cat likes to get in my lap all the time and I'd hate for him to jump up when I wasn't expecting- but other then that, its never been an issue. The ball works great for my dog to block her off from areas we don't want her in, and it doesn't even have to block the entire pathway...if she had her way, she wouldn't even go in the same room as the big green monster- she is such a chicken...all 65 pounds of German Sheppard/Chow/Lab/whatever mix and she's scared of an exercise ball (and the scales at the vet's :D)

Julee- How big was your ball suppose to be? It should have said in cm on the box somewhere- they usually recommend 55cm if you're under 5"7' & 65cm if you're over 5"8', but that's just a guideline, not a rule. I didn't realize I wasn't putting enough air in mine at first until I measured it one day and it was only 60% as big as it was suppose to be :o
Basically for exercises, its pretty much endless and you can make the exercises easier to start and harder as you get more in shape, which is a big plus so that you don't out grow it. I just picked up a video at Good Will this week- I haven't watched it yet, but it will be nice to have a routine to follow since all I've had was the poster that came with my first ball and pictures in books & on-line. There are a couple good sites you might want to check out (I tried to pick links that should be okay): You don't need as heavy of weights as they use in some of the pictures...those are some pretty muscular guys they have demoing- you can start with soup cans or no weights at all or use resistance bands. And there are definitely some really advanced exercises, but those first 2 links just have so many other ones that you can do...at least you'll always have new ones to try ;)

Amber - I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss. You are in my thoughts. :hug:

Christine - Thanks for the sites! Got those bookmarked, so that if I EVER get one, I'll have them! :)

Seeing as I have to be up in about 3 1/2 hours, I think I'm going to head off to bed. Hope you all sleep well! :)

ok this is a completely true story and proof that god will not allow me to cheat...

so i went to dinner with a friend and we went and got mongolian barbeque. for those of you that arent sure, basically you go and pick your meat and veggies, they toss on some noodles and cook everything on a big cooking surface. these are usually found in the mall. so we went here, and got dinner, well, downstairs from the food court is where cinnabon is. if i have to explain the goodness of cinnabon - well - there is only one way. take the best cinnamon roll and slather it in butter and cream cheese frosting - and you might come close (sidenote, this delicious confection is 17 points). well i decided i wanted one anyway and i got downstairs and the bank card reader was down, and i had just spent all my cash... sign 1

so not to be defeated. i went back to my friends house, we ate dinner and decided we wanted krispy kremes. again if you dont know the goodness - well - its a shame. especially of a fresh one, which they start making arround 11pm. (sidenote - 5pts) so we go there. and. its closed. this is an establishment that is open 24 hours. and its closed.

so NOT to be defeated, and to prove that i was going to buy something sweet if it kills me we drive to the pie shop to get pie. i told my friend that if they didnt have cocoanut cream then it was the 3rd sign and i was giving up. so we get there, and they have my pie and the guy asks if i wanted utensils. i told him yes because we were gonna drive to the beach and eat them.

so we pay and leave and get to our destination and get comfy and take out the food - and there are no utensils.

i gave up and came home. my pie is sitting here. mocking me.

So much so fast! Im not up to doing personals tonight.

I am sorry to hear about the death of the baby, they will be in my thoughts, I hope they are able to recover from the loss without blaming themselves.

I am also sad to hear of all the illnesses and other passings, and injuries. I hope everyone has a speedy and complete recovery.

Wow, that is a big change in BMI, way to go!

Congratulations to all who registered losses on their WI or before! It is totally great that we are still losing weight together!

Happy to hear about everyone's beloved pets...mine are spoiled cats. I love them so much!

Stability balls, Leslie Sansone has a stability ball video, there are loads of beginner stability ball videos. You can get them cheap on ebay.
Sam's club carries a professional weight stability ball that comes with a dvd and is aroung 15.00. That is the one I have, I like it a lot although I have only bounced around on it so far.

Good luck to everyone who will be or is attending school, including you, teach. My son will be starting a school on Industrial Testing soon. He is still searching for work. So I will add those of you looking for work to my thoughts for him to find work too. Congratulations on the job to you, it sounds like they really like you and you made a great impression on them obviously!

I had dinner with my son and his wife tonight. They grilled asparagus and chicken breasts which had been marinated. It was deliscious and totally on program! We played yatzee and scrabble and poker, I was there a long time and had a great visit. I really enjoy them living next door. I hope they do not move anytime soon. Hopefully they will at least stay there until he finishes school since it is near where we live.

I am tired, so I am going to sign off now. Have fun figuring out which message goes to which person. ha ha

Luan - "my pie is sitting here. mocking me." Oh my that got me going. Lack of sleep+funny=Kayley goes crazy.

Garnetfairy - Glad you had a nice visit with your son and daughter in law. :) Industrial testing? What's that?!

Well, I have class in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Going to go and do a little bit of a workout as soon as I'm a BIT more awake. Decided that a good morning routine (of about 10-12 mins) is doing the warm up, the "dance off" which is 5 mins at the "top speed", and then the cool down. Then I can do more when I get home in the evening. Heading over the the mall, and the "shopping district" today after classes with my friend Susan. She's going to a concert on Saturday, and wants a new shirt. And I need to go to Hobby Lobby, and feed my addiction to scrapbooking supplies....ha!