Woohoo, weighed in at 235 this morning, which means I met my original goal (238) and updated goal for the month!

Now that I am official, I decided to post my picture vs an avatar. This is from last October... I finished a half marathon in 3 hours. Of course, I gained a bunch of weight as soon as I stopped running last spring so I am back at it. I have changed how I eat which has helped alot. I was eating really crappy while training last year and my weight stayed steady because of the running. I feel SO much better now that I have changed my eating habits and am running again. Ran a solid 1/2 mile last night (it has been awhile and I was in a car accident this summer) and walked another mile. I am trying to get to a mile without hurting so much. I was down again this morning a little bit. WOOHOO!!

Dudesmom - Congrats on the loss!!!

LeslieLou - thanks for the shoutout!!

Shan - wow... doesn't even look like the same ladies... CONGRATS!!

PDXgirl - go strong this week, you can do it!

shan84- Ooo, tonsillitis is so painful. I've only had it once, but it was unbearable. I was living with my husband's family at that time, and we were about an hour and a half from the nearest town, so I couldn't go to the doctor. I got it from a germ on an egg, because they didn't have refrigeration (house ran on a generator because they couldn't get electricity out that far). Anyway, it lasted 10 days and I lost probably 15 lbs because I couldn't stand anything to touch my throat and my lymph nodes were so swollen it hurt to lay on my back. I couldn't talk, and my husband had to force me to drink triple Echinacea tea.

Sha: Don't feel bad. It landed on mine too, and I'm just now recovering. I was pretty embarrassed to post my weigh-in because I bloated so badly.

Name five things you love about yourself. They can be physical attributes, or personality traits. Tell us about you!!

1.) Though I was in choir for several years through school, my ability to sing is natural. I have an easy time finding the right pitch/tone in songs, and natural vibrato. I have worked my way to reaching high pitches and belting notes by listening to CDs and imitating. Sadly, my nerves get to me and my breath support isn't always so good, but I hope losing weight will change that.

2.) I have a wonderful imagination, and can be inspired at any time by anything. Even my dreams give me inspiration, for they are usually vivid and bizarre.

3.) I am very empathetic, and understand what someone's feeling even if I've never experienced it first hand. I'm also very observant.

4.) I'm a Christian.

5.) I have really long, auburn hair that I get a lot of compliments on. I haven't cut it for probably 8 years, and it is at the start of my thighs. Sadly, some of the ends are split.

I haven't really changed any of my eating habits, because it's at the end of the month and I always have to eat at my parents' because our food stamps don't usually cover the whole month. I was mad, because I had to throw away some of my produce because I bought too much at one time, and it molded.

I don't think I'm doing all that good with my exercising. I've been taking little walks in the evening, but they hardly count for exercise, because I walk so slowly. I mostly do it for clearing my head and talking to my husband without distraction. It's nice (especially when we are up early enough to go in the morning). This morning it was cool, and we were feeling frisky so we raced each other down the road when we were almost to the house. lol. I was so out of breath. But, seriously, I know I should be giving a little more with exercising, but it's just hard to find the motivation and energy. I'm 23, but my energy level feels like that of an old woman.

Ooops. Sorry this was so long!

Oh, I forgot to do 5 things I love about myself:

1. My smile (I feel so conceited saying this!). My uncle once told me I had an easy smile, meaning that it doesn't take much to make me smile and that I smile a lot. I'm only now learning the value of this as my oldest son goes to preschool-he's got an easy smile too and I see how that makes other people smile and can really have a positive effect on people.

2. My sense of humor. It's a little strange, but I love it! BTW, I'm a sucker for corny jokes.

3. My feet. They're cute, what can I say?

4. My ability to produce big, beautiful, healthy children. They are my world.

5. My creative side. I come up with some pretty cool ideas when I have an outlet.

Name five things you love about yourself (better late than never!)
1) Excellent listener
2) my laugh- a bit loud for some people, but I like it
3) my perseverence
4) dedication to helping others
5) my smile

Shan- going out & drinking/eating reminds me of the Izekaya's in Japan. We went camping in Kananaskis Country- provincial park mountains about 1.5h from Calgary. Wow! The difference between your two pics is amazing- thanks for sharing.

Dudesmom- WTG on the weight loss & hitting 2 mini-goals.

Tambolina- congrats on being the red team's biggest loser. Love your picture & congrats on finishing the half-marathon. I 'think' I could run one but have been too chicken to sign up. Longest race I've done is 5K.

No activities tonight so it's been great catching up on my to-do lists!

Hi Everyone,

It has been a tough process to get back in the eating right groove. Letting loose on vacation has very bad consequences besides the extra pounds. After allowing myself more treats, the cravings are sooo bad. I feel like I am starting over!

CanadaMel-How do you manage working, taking care of kids and camping on the weekend? You are a powerhouse girl!

Serval87-Hang in there with the walking. If you give it a chance and a bit of consistency;you will find yourself getting stronger very quickly.

tambolina-Congrats on being the Red team biggest loser. Oh, and you do have a cute smile!

dudesmom- on meeting your goal.

Shan84-Sorry to hear you are sick. No fun! Hopefully with some rest you will be back to school and the gym soon.

just barely Terapet! Lol.
I work part time ~27h/week. Most of my shifts are while the kids are in school.

Shan-hope you are resting and feeling better.

Have a great night ladies!

Thanks for the motivation, TERAPET!

Hi everyone. Feeling a lot better but the cough is not gone yet. I tried to get a clearance letter from the doctor yesterday to go back to work today and he said no. So he gave me another 4 days of meds, an injection, and said he would see me Monday morning. So now I'm trying desperately to get 100% better by Monday.

On another note, my weight has dropped drastically this week. Now granted, I haven't exercised at all. But, I have upped my calories and my water intake has been insane! Bathroom breaks non stop. Oh, and its TOM for me and I usually drop double my weekly average during TOM. So, not sure if its because of my meds, or because I'm home taking care of myself. But I'm going to take it and run with it. Hope I can hold onto the drop.

Next Monday I plan on heading back to the gym. Woohoo!

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Shan-glad you're feeling better!

I was feeling decent about my losses today so I went into my closet and tried on some stuff that I was nowhere close to fitting into when I started this journey. This is the stuff that wouldn't button or zip, even if I tried the old laying down on the bed trick! Well, today I was able to get everything on, and I even got it all buttoned and zipped while standing up!!! I love to go through and find out what fits now, or see how much better it fits. This stuff still doesn't look attractive, but I know it's at least getting there. Hope everyone else is having a great day!

Not too many chatters this week. Hope everyone is having a good week 2!!

Today's question:
What is your goal weight and why? Or, if you don't have a goal weight, what is the ultimate goal for you?

GO RED TEAM!!

Ack! I'm sick! What a way to start the month. It was really hard to get through my workout yesterday, and now I know why. Had no idea I was coming down with something, just thought it was one of those proverbial brick walls. Got home, napped with baby, then I felt it. Body aches, headache, chills, burning eyes. Dh took the girls to school today, bless him. And he says, "I hope you're taking the day off from working out." Uhhh, duh?

So I'm taking it easy. I've got a load of wash going and that'll probably be the extent of my housework today. I'm going to nap in this recliner

What is your goal weight and why? Or, if you don't have a goal weight, what is the ultimate goal for you?

My goal weight is 150. It's a nice, round, healthy number for my height. It might go up, or come down as I progress, depending on where I'm comfortable.

julie- Take it easy! Hope you feel better soon.

My original goal weight is 200lbs. After I hit that, then I plan on re-evaluating where I want to go from there.

Hope everyone has a great Friday! It's late Friday night here in SK. I went for two walks outside today because I desperately needed the fresh air. Cough is getting much better. Overall body condition is feeling great. I'm going to take it easy this weekend, and push back to routine on Monday.

What is everyone's plan for the weekend?

Hey everyone.. Crazy busy week at work and with the kiddos!! I actually took today off cause I needed a break.. So glad its Friday and I am off. Still on track w/ food and exercise this week, and entering the weekend still committed to a 100% on plan weekend. DH and I have a date tonight, I offered to be the designated driver so I don't end up drinking my calories. We are going out with a old friend and his new wife we haven't met yet..

My initial goal weight is 164, for my height this brings me to the top end of my range. Once I get there I will determine where I want my end result. I was happiest anywhere around 132 (H.S. weight) and 152-158. So I plan to make the end a bit flexible. I actually really was happy at the 152-158 weight. Four pregnancies later I'll the anything in 150 and be trilled.

Shan- Glad your on the mend. It stinks getting sick!!!

Julie- Hope you feel better soon.

Dudesmom- YAY!! Congrats on getting back into your clothes.. I love when that happens!!!

Happy Friday Everyone!!!