Okee... HIIII everyone

Well I got in my exercise earlier tonight than usual lol .. its not even 11pm!! What is happening to me rofl. I feel great after doing it tho .... even if I was feeling a little stiff earlier in the night and didnt think I would do it lol ... but Im stubborn and I love dancing with Richard anyway lol ... I know eventually I will get tired of this dvd ... but today I bought a second hand elliptical trainer (AT LAST!!!) it wasnt as cheap as some I have seen mentioned on here ($180NZ ... about $90US and ummm 60 pounds??) .. BUT it was half the price of others on the auction site. I wont be getting it until next weekend I think it is .. the 4th anyway lol .. oh .. will add that one to my positives for todays list I think

I may have a new resident in my house lol .. Ashleighs (daughter) best friend doesnt want to live at home any more ... but she is only 14 ... so she wants to know if she can stay here . I will be talking to her mum about it (she has 2 little sisters and mum has a new beau .. so she is feeling a little left out again ... same thing happened with the last one grr)... Im more than happy to have her stay here .. even if she thinks Im a little weird rofl .. it means that our sleepout will become the girls room I think .. so everything that is out there now will have to come in and dad will stay inside with us when he comes until the other house is ready . .. oh well .. something else to think about lol ..

Okee ... heres a question .. what if you just CANT get to your recommended daily calorie intake?? Today I havent even got to 1000 calories and I am just NOT at all hungry ... I have drunk about 2.5 litres of water ... and I have bought myself some green tea which I am going to try tomorrow ... but we had subway for dinner and I had a 12" roll ... I didnt have time for any lunch today, had a banana on the fly as it were .. but I had weetbix for breakfast .... and Im not at 1000 yet . ... I was saying to dad earlier I might have some ice cream for supper ... but now that I have done my exercise I have less than no appetite lol .. some days its really easy to get to 1800 ... but this last week its been a struggle to hit 1500 lol ....

Its my hunnys (hopefully) last weigh in at JC this week .. I say hopefully because we are hoping that he wont have to pay for their food any more when the things I get work out to be so much cheaper and the majority of it is fresh rather than packet stuff ...

Okee ... my 5 positives for today ....

1 - The sun came out and gave us a glistening back yard on the frosty dew that was on the grass (it did get a little cold last night) ... it looked MAGICAL!

2 - I sold my dishwasher!! lol .. never thought I would be happy to say that .. but I actually enjoy doing the dishes and have only used the machine a few times since we moved here .. so will be getting myself some more cupboard space! (yayyy)

3 - I fitted in a siesta this afternoon!! I have found on the days when I can fit in a nap at some point I feel a heck of a lot better all round .. regardless of how much I have slept the night before ... even if I dont nap its really nice to just close out the world for 30 minutes

4 - I got the washing done! To me that is a definite positive lol .. after having to catch up with about 20 loads of washing after we moved I really dont like seeing any more than 2 machines full at any one time now lol ..

5 - My dad is here! and a double plus .. he is getting his hearing tested tomorrow to arrange to get a hearing aid .. believe me thats a positive cos it aint half annoying having to repeat yourself so many times and have to have the TV on 35+ so that he can hear it (I did think of getting those headphone thingys so that the person wearing them can have the tv as loud as they want while the rest of the room can hear it at a normal level lol).

So tomorrow should be interesting .. off to have my shower and get to bed ... will do the personals in the morning when my fingers arent tripping over themselves rofl ..

Love and light all!

Good morning everyone! Sorry no time for much in the way of posts... LOL I got up at 3:30 this morning as am working overtime this week... and by the time I get home I am ready to eat dinner and crash. But wanted to wish everyone a great Wednesday. Stay OP!!

Kayley, Aren't you just a bit north of Niles, Mi?????
I hope the Ivy Tech campus there can help you. That would be cool. I'm glad you have a plan for today. It always helps me and makes me feel like I have some control somewhere
in my life. Then when I review the day regarding calories and exercise, I feel empowered!

Man, y'all are so lucky to have a gym membership. I LOVE water aerobics. We just don't have $$ for a membership right now. But, my gazelle parts should be here soon. :-)
That'll be cool.

Wyellen, Hang in there girl! Your bagels sound like the cookies I had at work the other day. I counted them too. Not happy that I gave in, but it wasn't as bad as it would have been 2 months ago. So, we were stronger than in our past. :hugs: Sometimes I just get tired of fighting.....especially when there's stressers. If DH and doggies were annoying, then that was probably the stresser.....just gotta remember, we're stronger than in the past.

Lavendel, Way to go on the 2 pound loss. That's nice and steady. Try to check out fitday.com It's free and you can log your calories there and it'll check your nutrition too so you can be confident you're getting enough of what you need. It's very helpful to me.

Sharon, I'm so sorry your dr didn't listen. I really know how low a person can feel.
Before my meds got straightened out, I felt like in lived in a huge dark hole. Everything felt black, dark, morbid. Of course, illnesses can cause depression and depression can cause us to feel ill. He should definitely run some blood work to make sure you're ok there. And keep you on anti-depressants at the same time. I went to counseling too. It did help me deal with some issues from my past. The counselor also validated my sad, sad feelings. Do you have a referral hot line there you can call? Here we have a mental health clinic where they do research on depression and the care will be free when they're doing research. Maybe you could find something like that there??? to you!

Katt, how cool on your ellipitical. I hope you love it. I loved it when I had my old gym membership. Thanks for your positives. My fav was the one about the frost. I love it when it's frosty here. But, I love all the seasons. They all seem to come just when I need them. I don't like to drive in the snow, but if I'm home and it snows, then it's ok
Sleep well, Sweetie!

Ladies, I gotta get out the door to work.
I hope you all have a great day Stay OP!!! I have my plan for the day so I'm empowered and ready to go!

Sandy - Yep! I live about 15 minutes from Niles! Over by the Buchanan area (that's where my boyfriend lives). I go to school at Lake Michigan College over in Benton Harbor, and I work in St. Joseph at the Herald Palladium newspaper over there...lots of info, I know! And I actually called Ivy Tech this morning, to try and arrange a meeting to go and talk to them about the program! So thanks for the info! My counselor at the college hasn't been helpful at ALL...I've had to do any and all research about other programs on my own.

Well, I need to make my breakfast, and work on my desktop publishing AGAIN, and then it's off to class, and then work, then more class, and back to work again! I'll try and pop on a little later. Have a good one!

Hello Chickies!

Well, not a red-letter day for Lilion. After four weeks of really trying to stay OP, journalling and paying attention to every point (even the BAD days), I weigh more than when I started. Lost 1 lb the first week, 2 the second then gained 2 the third and about 2 this week! I say "about" 2 this week because "official" WI is closer to noon...but it's still up and very depressing. I TRIED these past four weeks!

I've done some calculations and have decided I have to NOT count my activity points. There was only a 20 pt difference weekly between the weeks I lost and the weeks I gained, and the 20 pts were swapped out activity points. So...back to the drawing board. I'll change my sig after the official WI.

Sorry I haven't been keeping up and replying to you ladies very well. I seem to be behind both at work and here! But I'll try harder later. That's life...try, try again!

Lavendel – Wow, given your weight, that does NOT sound like a lot of food. You might not be hungry, but that doesn’t mean it’s healthy, either! While I don’t necessarily subscribe to the “starvation mode” theory, I think that eating too few calories for our bodies is not a good thing. That sounds like no more than 1200 calories, and maybe a lot less. 1200 calories/day is considered to be a cutoff -- small people's bodies need at least that. Large people need more (it takes a lot more energy to keep a larger person alive.) Are you tired a lot? That might be a symptom of eating too little.

I really think you could eat quite a bit more AND lose weight AND have more energy AND be more likely to stick with it. I'll post my food for Monday as an example:

Breakfast:
- 2 cups coffee with skim milk
- English muffin with chicken (40 g) and Monterey jack cheese (1/2 oz)

Snack
- 120 g red grapes
- ½ oz pistachios (protein AND a “good” fat)
- Homemade blueberry/bran muffin (< 100 cals each)

Lunch
- homemade soup (vegetable bean) w/4 g parm cheese sprinkled on top
- 100 g baby carrots
- Another muffin!

Snack 1
- a bit of cheese on a cracker (120 cals total)

Snack 2
- an “all bran bar” (not sooo healthy, but what can you do)

Dinner
- homemade “chili mac” made with beans, ground turkey, pasta and lots of vegetables
- a little lowfat cheese sprinkled on top

Snack
- oatmeal with blueberries
- a little jello snack cup (not really healthy, but a treat!)

Total: 1742 calories

I also did an hour of yoga that day. It’s a TON of food, and mostly healthy. I weigh a LOT less than you, which means I don’t need as many calories just to keep myself going as you do (and as I once did). I am losing weight regularly and giving my body a lot of nutrients to work with. I also get to incorporate a few “treats” as you can see, which I think makes me less likely to binge or go off track.

I hope I’m not coming across as pushy or know-it-all, but I think that so many people think that the only way to lose is by seriously restricting, but so many people who are successful don’t do that at all (Ammi, Misti, and Zelma all come to mind. All have talked about their plans and it seems like sensible eating is a big part of it. And I’m not saying others are NOT sensible, I just know less about their plans!)


Sharon – Oh I am most certainly human! I want you all to know that!!!  And you’re right, I am more interested in figuring out why I ate the stupid bagel than beating myself up about it!

Sandy – A comparison to what I would have done in the past is always a good way to get some perspective!!

Lilion – Don’t you just HATE when the scale doesn’t cooperate! Try not to fret, especially if you think you’re doing things right!

Good morning all. Hope everyone is having a good morning. Mine is lovely so far, problems at work, which is always fun.
Got in some good cardio last night. It was late (about 9pm) but I got it in. I did some "dancing with Richard" as Katt puts it. I haven't done that in a few months & I could definately tell. It felt good though.

Jen: Good you on maintaining your weight, I'll take that over gaining any day.
I have noticed since I've stopping eating sweets that I now have a low tolerance to it. I drank a sip of DH's sweet tea the other ngiht & it was sickingly sweet. I also find those pupkin spice bars just right. I think I sent my body through a sugar detox, lol.

Sandy: I hear ya about how being nice to people all day can wear you out. I talk to people all day long & have to be super nice, polite & helpful. The general public sucks! lol I just want to smack some people.
I will post my Taco Soup recipe in the recipe section above. Its extremely easy & you can add whatever you want to it.
Funny you mentioned buying containers. I am cheap. I used plastic containers that I got from take out & some gladware containers that DH's sandwich meat comes in (Hillshire) lol. Whatever works.
Don't feel left out, I don't have money for a gym membership either or the time. I have to do exercise with my DD or while she is sleeping at night.

Wezi: Sorry you have had some exercise roadblocks. Stuff happens. Just keep trying. Also try to find things to do around the house or wherever you are. Run up the stairs a few more times, walk the neighboorhood, play outside with the kid you watch. It all counts as long as you are moving!

Kayley: Your plan sounds good. You know how to do it, you just gotta get going. I think your plan to take more stairs sounds good. Just taking a longer route or parking farther away etc adds up.

Lavandel: Congrats on your weightloss. I think thats a good #. Not too small, not too big. Slow & steady....
I personally think you might be eating too little. Its sounds like you are eating healthy, just maybe not enough. I fight that too. I'm not hungry but have to make myself eat more throughout the day. Yesterday I didn't really eat lunch and by the evening I wasn't feeling hungry but I could feel my blood sugar getting low, I started to get a headache. Check out fitday & see what they recommend. I don't use that site on a daily basis but I check it everyonce in awhile to make sure I am getting enough nutrients, calories, etc.

Sharon: Sorry you are feeling depressed. Hopefully you can get your doctors to help you out soon. Hang in there.

Katt: I danced with Richard last night too! lol
Awesome deal on the elliptical considering what they cost new. I wish I could find/afford one. I don't have the room for it either.
Wow, thats alot to take on, having that girl move in. Its a big responsiblity to care for someone else's kid. My younger brother (17) lives with us and its hard at times. But I respect you for being willing to do it. When I was 15/16 I had to move in with my best friend & her family. Alot was going on at my house & these people just welcomed me in and were the best. I can never thank them enough. Good luck with that situation, its sad when kids don't feel loved at home.
I also have issues with getting too little calories. (see above) Not sure what to do about it other then just making yourself eat at certain times. I would rather eat when I am hungry but sometimes I am just not hungry at all.
Awesome positives. Keep em coming.

Misti: Gosh thats early. Sorry you're having to work so hard. Good luck this week.

Phew, I think thats it for now. Have a great day everyone!

Nightkatt~Sounds like you are donig great with the exercise. Thats great you bought an elipitical. If we don't move from Alaska..we are proably going to purchase some equipment. Thanks for posting your positives.

Misti~wow 3:30 am! That is so early! Hope you make it through all the overtime!

Lilion~Sorry you are having a hard time with staying OP. Hope things turn around for you!

Andie~Hope your problems at work get better. Good for you getting so much exercise!

Well this was just a real quick check in. Hope to do more personals later.
We live in housing provided by the National weather service. So the housing guys are coming in today to inspect the homes. They are building new homes next year. Hopefully we won't be here! lol

Have a great day everyone!

Michelle

Alright, alright...I surrender I missed about a million threads and went away on vacation for a while and dropped off 3FC for a week or 2 all together. Now I've been posting here and there, but I avoided coming here because I knew I probably wouldn't be able to catch up with everyone. In the end, I missed the people here in this group more than I felt guilty about having left, so here I am

So yeah, I've gained a bunch of weight back yet again. My body seems to like being in the 290s, but I won't let it stay there I'm back up to 295.5 (as of this morning), which is actually down a pound from last week. And (wyllenn, you'll be happy to hear) I've gotten up early the past 2 mornings in a row to do a 30-minute WATP DVD. Yup, I get up by 4:20am in order to do it, and I've been crashing and napping in the early evenings right after dinner because I'm just so beat, but I know it's good for me in the long run.

Anyway, I see a few new names, so to those who have joined while I was MIA, and giant to all continuing (and returning--I remember you, Mazarin!) friends

Sandy & Andie – thanks for the fitday link. I checked out what I ate yesterday and ooops it was not that much lol

No wyllenn I appreciate this, I really do want to stick to this and I kinda knew I wasnt eating much and was planning to eat a bit more after a month or so,when my body learns to eat less.
I think the main problem is I dont have much time, either to cook or even to plan what Im eating. I work every day 10h and now that I excersise almost every day my day should have a few hours more then usual lol. My bf is starting asking when I gonna fit him into my busy day. So I must say I just admire everyone who's having families and still manage to do everything! I dont know how you can do it!

Im not feeling tired at all, even though Im not eating much, but thats probably becouse I weight a little less then before and excersise I guess my body got a bit of an energy push. I know this cant go on for ever, so I was planning to make my self a good diet plan, just didnt have time to do it yet. So any adivce is well taken!!!!!

And another thing, I dont know but I only seem to lose weight when I feel hungry, If I eat more, but still not much, I dont loose it. Im sure thats just in my head lol but when Im hungry I feel like im loosing otherwise I dont. silly me I guess hehe.

OK, girls you be good and stay OP and have a great day.

See you later...if theres time lol

Mechelle-I wouldn't mind a bit a gain if I was having trouble staying OP. The problem I have is I HAVE stayed OP and I still gained 4 lbs! I don't understand it and I just really wish someone could explain to me using little words that I can understand how a 1000 calorie per week difference can be the difference between losing 2 lbs and gaining 2 lbs! I truely don't understand it, but it's just absolutely about to do me in! I TRIED SO HARD to stay OP. I counted every morsel that went in my mouth. And even if I didn't lose, I should not have gained. I was SO happy that I had only 8 more lbs to go to get to 100 gone and now I'm back over 240. I just want to scream or cry or just go to bed and sleep for a week or EAT A PIE! Why shouldn't I eat a pie if I'm going to gain anyway when I don't! (I don't mean that really and I'm not going to eat a pie - I'm just absolutely ill about the whole thing.)

Oh Lilion I’m so sorry I cant give you any answers as I don’t know what’s happening, but I truly feel for you I know I'd be devastated if that happens to me. I hope someone will provide you a good answer so you can make things right. Sometimes our bodies just act mysteriously

i can't believe it's wednesday already--this week is flyin' by!

sandybar--i'm glad my husband finally decided that we should join the gym cuz i am lovin' the water aerobics classes. we belong to the ymca--i don't know if you have one near you, but the ones here offer all sorts of discounts and different class cards (so you don't have to become a member). maybe there's one around you that you could check out? just a thought....

nonames--i guess i have been moving more then i thought. i watch 2 very active boys and we are always outside. i just get into this mindset that if i didn't go to the gym or do a dvd then i didn't get my exercise in for the day. thanks for the reminder!

lilion--i know how frustrating it can be when the scale is stuck or moving in the wrong direction. i don't know if this helps, but could it be that you gained some muscle mass or have just had too much salt lately? when i get frustrated, sometimes it helps me to take my measurements or try on clothes that are fitting better--just whatever to feel some success, but stay away from the scale.

sharon--the boy i nanny is on the high functioning end of the scale. he is 8, but mentally is about 6 or 6 1/2. he's never had any problems with not talking, but he does have some speech/language delays (sounds and proper grammer, sentence structure). his biggest problems are social skills. he doesn't know what to do when he gets frustrated--grunts or screams, will hit and shove with his brother (that's really just normal though )--and he's not very good at making friends--tends to be too bossy and others get tired of that or gets too shy to ask kids to play. last year at school was pretty bad--he was at a public school and in a class of 25 and just couldn't get what he needed there. this year he is at a private school for kids with autism, in a class of 10. he is doing so much better! this school is great and was exactly what he needed. hopefully, things will turn around this year. and yes, i do think of them as mine sometimes! when i first started, their parents traveled a lot and i was working about 65-70 hours a week and staying nights. i still work about 50-55 hours a week, and go to school functions, take them to birthday parties, therapies, soccer, etc. i'm pretty much like the third parent now! but they're a lot of fun, and we're all happy with our crazy situation.

anyway, gotta run. hope everyone is having a good wednesday. lori

Jill - Welcome back! We missed you! I missed a bunch of threads lately and missed the people too much! I'm proud of that exercise (want to join our exercise thread??)! I can't get up early for it, but then, I'm getting up at 5:30 to grade papers lately!

Lavandel -- This weight loss thing is a part time job, I swear! I obviously cook a lot, but in order to work out during the week, I pretty much ONLY cook on the weekends. Sunday I might make soup or some "one pot meal." Sometimes I make enough to freeze to make other weeks easier. I made the double batch of muffins 2 weeks ago, and don't have them every day (I like variety). We often grill up a bunch of chicken on the weekend as well.

Also on Sundays, I bag up bags of grapes and baby carrots to take to work. So packing lunch and snacks every day just takes a minute!

Then, during the week, I can heat up something in the evening for dinner and even for lunch! I usually have a couple of choices: my one-pot, chicken (or maybe pork), maybe a soup... and then some stand-bys: pasta, eggs, or sandwiches might be one night a week.

It is the only way I can work 8-12 hour days, and exercise.

It does, however, involve planning! And some weeks work better than others. I'll also say that this is a system that has evolved over the past year. I think it takes people a while to figure out what works for them.

Lilion -- I can tell you why you gained weight! Ready? Because.

Seriously, the scale is fickle. We want to lose fat, but our measurement tool also measures muscle, and water, and, you know, bone and stuff. Our bodies are over half water, so water retention can have a big effect. I often go through periods where I gain weight, even though my exercise is the same and my eating is good. I have definitely gained several pounds inexplicably.

It's frustrating, but I know it's not fat! It make take some time to move out, but it will. I don't like it, but I'm learning to deal with it.

So, perhaps that is what happened to you?? Just, because! I know it's not really satisfying...