MC - Welcome back. Looking forward to the pictures

Mindy - I too have a pooch that I'm not happy with. Spanx are a wonderful thing but I would really like to not have to wear them. At this point I'm thinking goal will be more like 130-137 but will wait until after I get back from my vacation to reevaluate.

RC- sodium reduction and increased water sounds like a good plan.

Good Tuesday morning to you all!!! Just lost one pound last week, which any loss is great. I have been exercising everyday so far I have done the 30 day shred for 9 days, to day is the 10th day and I will move to level 2. My eating this weekend was not great, My MIL was in the hospital and we were there all weekend and you would think a hospital of all places would have healthier options but I was wrong. Anyway I hope to make up for it the rest of this week. I have had trouble for the past week getting my veggies in, so I am concentrating on drinking my water, getting my veggies in and no splurges. Also this weekend was TOM and the chocolate craving was over the top. Well I guess I am just full of excuses...

Ranger- I think you plan is good. I have been trying to decrease my sodium and you are right it it hard. Keep up the good work.

Mindy- you have done so well. I have read that the belly is the hardest place for women to tone up. So good luck to you!! Also the thighs oh my goodness I wish there was a secret to slimming them down.. let me know if you figure it out..

CAT- you also have done so well. Keep up the good work!!! Enjoy your Vacation!! And I have been thinking of investing in some spanx.

CruiseCAT - I thought I saw a post on the Blue thread where you mentioned e-mailing me? I've cleaned out my backlogged emails and I don't see it. Which e-mail did you use? I didn't send this in a PM, in case that was how you sent it, and therefore my PMs are not working. :?:

DIXIED- Nice pic. You look awesome.

Did a 3 mile, hot, muggy, walk/jog tonight. Got home and felt like I just got out of the shower, except stinky. If that doesn't take off a few ounces, I don't know what will.

WOW!! I thought since nobody had posted since me yesterday, that maybe there was new thread started. I don't see one though. Therefor I am posting here.

Today I was down a little bit. 182.4-First time I've seen the 182's in about 2 weeks. I am hoping it is going to be headed in the right direction now. I have this gut feeling I'll be back up tomorrow though. Went out to lunch today and didn't do diddly squat today. I still need to get in a workout tonight. I hope it helps.

Hello ladies, how goes the week?

I'm experiencing some nasty heartburn or acid or something this morning. Ugh. Everything I drink tastes chalky which is weird. I'm hoping all this crap is from this horrid pill and it takes a hike after this week. Yes, I am almost off this brand of pill. Woo! Next week is the week where the pill has nothing in it, so I am beyond glad. This pill has not only caused me to gain weight, but it has made my dry skin much worse. It is just horrible.

Other than that, I've been doing pretty good with my workouts and all this week I think. I've been sore a bit which is good and means I think I've gotten out of my routine and worked out something "new." The sodium levels are lower, but still working on that. It is not easy at all to keep your sodium low. Been pretty much at 2,000mg or lower, so I'm good with that since I'm drinking at least 80oz of water as well.

Hope you all have a good Thursday! :)

Shannon - Sure hope things get better when you change pills. You are doing GREAT with the sodium reduction and water increase. I still need to work on the sodium but I have been getting my water in this week.

I love when you fill out a "health" questionnaire and they ask if you pee more than 6 times per day; well doesn't everyone when they drink the recommended amount of water?

I forgot to start a new thread and decided with as slow as it is we would be OK going two weeks in one.

So are you still down to 182?

Ha, that is so true!

So, ended up at the doctor today... I think I had an allergic reaction to something because I got to work and felt like I couldn't really breathe and felt like I was under water or something. Just felt weird and not right. So, ended up leaving and going to the doctor. The PA I saw said it was just an allergy thing, but I think it was more than that. Anyway, I feel mostly better now, but still not 100%.

Ended up splurging a bit tonight and had a couple slices of pizza which put me at 1500-1600 cal for the day. Not overly bad since I'm eating 1300-1400, but still, shouldn't have done it. However, I'm telling myself it's over and done and tomorrow is a new day. Going to work out in the morning, so as long as I feel okay, going to really push it.

Good Friday to you all!!

It has been slow in here for the past few weeks. Summer time I assume. My kids start school Monday, Football season just began and I did not get to exercise last night. I have been doing the 30 day shred but I missed last night. I wanted to do 30 days sraight. I also did not eat well yesterday as I ate too many starches,I forgot about what I had for breakfast and ate too much but oh well. I am going to up my water for today drink a slimdown shake for lunch and watch my carbs the rest of the weekend.

I must tell you all I have a 16 month old baby boy he is the youngest boy of 6. He is the cutest thing. When I do the shred he just watches me so close. So the other day I noticed when I do the jump rope, he tries to jump too. Then 2 nights ago he was doing high knees. I wish I could film him but he stops when I get the camera. It is the most precious thing. The bad part is when I do push ups lately he has been climbing on my back. Trust me I do not need the extra 30lbs..

It really has been slow here. I know for me I've been spending lots of time at the pool and reading.

So am I understanding correctly that all six of your children are boys? My son was an only child and I can't imagine six of HIM. Don't get me wrong he was a GREAT kid but cleanliness was not a priority. I tried to warn his wife but she didn't listen.... funny the same things I warned her about are the things after 4 years of marriage she complains about.

I had to laugh about the 30 extra pounds..... think not to long ago you were carrying an extra 40 lbs.

Sure hope you are feeling better. Any idea what you are allergic to?

Mommy- That was funny about your extra 30 pounds. My friend and I are both between 60and 70 pounds lost. Her DD weighs about 60 some pounds. We joke about how we have lost her daughter. Imagine that. We have lost a 4th grader. Can't believe your children are starting school. Our kids don't come back until Sept. 8th. I'll have to go in about 2 weeks earlier to get ready. My summer is quickly coming to an end. :(

Cat- Yep, keeping this thread is fine. There are not a lot of us posting. It always get this way, but I think it is even quieter this summer. Hopefully everyone is having a good time.

Shannon- Hope you are feeling better. Hey, have that splurge and don't feel guilty. I did today. I had half an order of nacjos, which I only ate half of. They were yummy.

I was back at 182.8 today. hoping to go down a little more tomorrow. The good news is that in July I lost 5.2 pounds. That is awesome for me. Now if I could only lose 3-4 in August, I would be a totally happy camper.

Nope. Though, my mom wonders if it's that I've been taking in too much omega 3. Could be. Been taking it 5 days a week pre-workout. Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't happen again. No fun at all.

mtiger, good for you on having a treat! we all deserve one every now and again!

Mommy, can't imagine running around with kids all day. A day's work in itself! Obviously, I'm single and all still. Ha. Anyway, try to take some time for yourself, just to workout. You deserve it.

I was back to 181.8 today, but TOM is a week away, so no telling what craziness will take place this week. Hopefully I can break into the 170's after TOM passes through.

Hey all, I'm still up a pound, sorry about that. Hopefully, it will "disappear" in the next week or two.

In the meanwhile, I took a new pic of myself for my progress set. Talk about a difference, huh? :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/...9cbbf8af32.jpg

Awesome progress, Shannon -- congratulations!!

I'm going to take my second freebie this week....we're still in Vegas at the moment, flying home tomorrow afternoon. I had such wonderful plans to stay on a diet while I was here but they all went to **** in a handbasket about the time I stepped off the plane. Am really going to have to kick it into high gear this coming week!!!

Good morning ladies, don't forget today is WI day.

I'm down a pound but still not down to my lowest weight along this journey. I try not to kick myself but it's a little frustrating. With my cruise coming up I can almost guarantee that I will gain a few pounds. Speaking of my cruise the stats for the week of the 17th will not be posted until the 20th; both Dee and I will be out of town.

Mack and I did a 7 mile hike yesterday that was very nice. Here are some pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/4106149...57621926561670

Shannon you look GREAT.

Suzanne - Trying to stay on plan in Vegas is like staying on plan on a cruise. Vegas has some of my favorite restaurants. My last couple of trips (I live 2.5 hours away) I have packed a cooler with ALL of my food for the weekend.

Shari - Glad you are in your new apartment. It may take awhile but it will all come together.

Mindy - Hang in there, the 170's are just around the corner.

Hi All,
I hope everyone had a great weekend. It's been so stressful here lately I'm just going nuts. I think I've mentioned it but my dad has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and has been going back and forth to the dr a lot. I've been doing a lot of the driving and just being there. I don't know what is worse, dealing with all this or dealing with my lazy bum of a brother. Dad will start treatment, radiation and chemo next week for 5-6 weeks then have surgery. I think I can handle everything. DS comes home the end of September, I would like to be under 200 lbs by then. It will be a year since I've seen him and we miss him terribly. He is in the Army.
Yesterday we went to the Amana Colonies, a really great place to visit. We just went for a couple of hours and didn't eat there, the food is awesome and served family style so not a good place to eat if you are trying to lose weight. We walked around the shops, I did sample some wine, I think I'll buy a botle of the black rasberry sometime, it was really good. We ended the day at the Lily pond, the water lilies were blooming and we walked the hiking trail for a while. I love going to the Amanas.

Shannon and everyone, The August issue of Prevention Magazine has a great article about Omega 3s and how our diets are more heavey into omega 6 which caused weight gain. I really liked it.

Everyone have a great week.
Bette K

Good Monday to you all!!! Only down 1 pound, but I knew that. I have made bad food choices and I seem to continue to make them, so today I am back on plan. I have not done well with water today but after I eat lunch I will start chugging..

CAT- the answer is yes..all boys...I have often wondered what it would be like just to have one, but honestly it is hard to even imagine. Our home is always chaos, but we love it. I am sure we will fall apart when they leave but then there is always Grandkids. By the time I am 40 we will only have 2 left at home, a 9 year old and a 16 year old. So that will be our closest change to having one child.

Mindy-yes our kids start super early, but they get out in early May. I actually was ready for them to go back, the older they are the harder to entertain.

Shannon- greatpics- what a difference!!

Suzanne- have a great vacation

Bette- I am so sorry about your Dad..Hope his treatment goes well

Shannon- those pics really show your progress. NICE!!!

Cat- Your pics are beautiful. No place like that around here anywhere. I am planning a weekend trip[ to Lake Michigan in a few weeks. It is pretty there. I think I deserve it.

Bette- Hang in there. I know it's tough. Stay strong.

Mommy- Can't imagine having 6 kids. More power to ya. Get back to those good choices.

I know once school starts my eating will be better. It is more on schedule and routined. Although I have done well this summer. TOM is arriving end of week. I am looking for a whoosh afterwards. I need to drop a few more pounds before school starts.