Fit- I'm doing the Beach Body 2 day fast. It's a fast with a shake you have 3 times a day to keep your nutrients at a good level and help cleanse. It's about 330 calories per day. And I'm already feeling pretty hungry, ha. I'm struggling, no lies! It'll soon be time for my noon shake, so hopefully that and some hot tea will calm my tummy down.

Have fun going out tonight!

Fit, good luck with the cute a$$ guy tonight. And, props on being so close to your goal.

Okay ladies, I have picked out my gift to myself when I reach my 90 days complete of P90X. Granted I'm only on day 14 so I have a long way to go... but here it is:

Thanks for the kind words everyone. TOM is officially over and I am at 116.6. I'm down 0.2lbs since yesterday. I can't believe it. Last week I was at 114.8. I feel so defeated and upset. I'm not going to give up, but I really don't even feel like posting. I'm thinking this may be muscle gain. I'm not as flabby as I used to be, but I'm not as thin as I was at 114.8. I was so close to making my goal and now I'm back where I started 12 days ago. Could this be starvation mode?

Sorry to hear this! I know it sounds trite but look at this as an opportunity for something new and better.

But first and foremost... take care of yourself!

I love your posts! They are always a breath of fresh air and always make me smile.

So, fell off the wagon a bit yesterday. Ate pizza and wings for dinner. Which i wouldnt have done if it wasnt sitting on the counter waiting for me when i got home. I could've cooked instead but got lazy. Which is why i cannot wait to be back on my feet and in my own place with the boyfriend so that i wont have those temptations right in front of my face. I still did well though, only ate 1 and 1/2 small slices and 4 wings. I could've ate a LOT more. Which also means i didnt eat a snack in the evening. I still managed to only be at 1496 for calories but carbs and sodium were high! And im paying for it today. I have been starving all day but im fighting the urge! I'm going to shoot for an extra liter of water today to try and make up for the pizza from last night! All in all im still doing good. Yesterday was my day off from exercise and i needed it, ive been working really hard this week so i'm just pooped! But tonight is back on with TF Fire30 + Stretch 10! We'll see how that goes! Gym in the morning to run tomorrow as well so i'm hoping this will still be a pretty rockin' week on the scale!

P H A T i know how you feel. Last year i lost my job because i was sick and needed surgery due to "HR absentee policy." I hated that job but i'm the sole provider in my relationship so we were hurting! Things turn around though. I know you know that but the feelings of hurt will pass and we're here for ya. My b/f is actually able to work now so things are finally looking up for us, so hopefully they will look up for you too!

Phat- I'm so sorry!

Good morning ladies!

Phat- Sorry to hear about your job. My sister lost her job back in March. She was devastated to begin the job hunting process again. But, low and behold, she got a job two weeks later just a five minute walk from her apartment- she couldn't be happier now. Maybe it will be a blessing in disguise and you'll come out in a much better situation.

Amber- Cute bikini! I just recently bought myself two bathing suits- a sexy retro one piece and a retro bikini- I like the retro bikini because it covers up my stretch marks...heh. Funnily enough, all of my marks come from puberty, none from when I gained the weight starting 4 years ago.

Speaking of, does anyone else have stretch marks and still feel comfortable in a bikini? I'm working on getting the confidence to do so.

Dtermined- There's always room for a little indulgence! I always feel guilty eating foods like that, and I have to remind myself that "normal" people let themselves have pizza every now and then, and I want to have "normal" eating habits. It's just torture to cut those things completely. I think it goes with the diet/vs. lifestyle change thing.

Okay, so day two of my cleanse/fast and I feel really good! I expected to wake up tired and hungry, but I actually have a lot of energy (without coffee? weird) and feel like food is the farthest thought from my mind. Yesterday was tough- I never actually got *really* starving, because every time I'd feel a hunger pain I'd drink a warm cup of water with lemon and that would make the feeling subside. But around dinner time, I was sitting next to someone eating pizza and it smelled so good. That was tough. I got great rest last night and am feeling positive.

I'm not expecting any weight loss from this- if I do have any, I know it's just water weight that I'll gain right back. I just wanted to reset/recharge myself (really, I was just very curious to try, ha). Anyway- hope everyone is having a good day!

Corinne - I have stretch marks from puberty as well. I've got them both on my breasts and on my hips. The ones on my hips are pretty horrendous. I've had them for 15 years now and though they don't look AS bad as they once did, they're still pretty bad. Last summer was the first in my life I've ever work a bikini. But you know what, I finally decided to do it because I was going to the beach every weekend and seeing women with FAR worse bodies than me wearing them and they looked great. Really, the only person that notices how they look in one is generally the person wearing it I think!

I was super self conscious the first day I wore it for all of 20 minutes and then I just got over it. Now it ain't no thing. Not that I look great in it - I don't. I have love handles and saddlebags. But, I really look no different than any other woman out there in it. The supermodels of the world are a pretty stinkin' small percentage if you think about it.

Phat - I have been racking my brain trying to think of a good way to help you out. I feel really bad for you. I'm from southern Illinois near Paducah and have a few contacts there if you're anywhere near there? I'm not sure what part of Kentucky. I do know you'll feel better once you come up with a job hunting plan and set to work on it. The best thing to do is get motivated and seriously look. Good luck. Like others have said, maybe you'll find an even BETTER job.

Okay, yesterday was dead on with calorie counting. It could not have been more perfect. Ladies, I have concluded that the Dominic's (Safeway) frozen fish dishes are the most amazing inventions ever. http://www.safeway.com/ifl/grocery/C...hFilletsSteaks I've never had a bad one and they are EASY EASY EASY!!! Last night was the sesame chili tilapia and the best one yet. I baked that and microwaved some steamfresh garlic cauliflower. It was so wonderful and the freakin' easiest meal to make on the planet. I even had a glass of moscato with it because I had the calories.

Today is my official weigh in day and I came in at 149.5. I have been tracking fluctuations for my P90x thread on the fitness video forums so I know I have been lower this week, but what can you do? I'm still losing weight even if it's only 1lb. this week. I'm going in the right direction and it's the best I can ask for.

Happy Friday everyone!

Ugh. I'm UP a pound today! I know I haven't been doing that great, but I didn't think I was doing that horrible either. I'm not near TOM, so it's not that. Hopefully just one of those things. I may sneak a peek in a day or two. I'm not moving my ticker!!

Hey...I gained too and I know I haven't been that great either, but eh, tomorrow is another day I'm not moving my dang ticker! lol...shoot.

Good loss!!! And isn't it great to find healthy "fast food"? I love those little gems

I was bad too yesterday...let's both get it together...lol

Hmm...it could be a lot of things, how many cals are you eating everyday? do you feel hungry? Try upping the cals for a few days maybe, and also WATER WATER WATER!!! I can't stress water enough, it is my saving grace.

That bikini was cute and that guy has a girlfriend of 4 years and a 2-year old but openly admitted to cheating from time to time...so WHOMP WHOMP, he's still nice to look at.

Thanks hun!!! And I'm glad you are doing well on the cleanse, I think everybody needs a good cleanse every now and again it really helps.

PHAT, I have no idea how I missed your post yesterday but I am so sorry but you know what? f*ck them (sorry for that bad language) they had a gem in you and they let you go over some bulls*it, you WILL find a newer better job and you WILL come back harder, better, faster, stronger!!! I know it!!! Collect that Unemployment girl until you get back on your feet...and pop in and say hey, we're here for ya!!!

Melissakd thanks!!! That is that good 'ol Texas hospitality, my whole family is from Texas, so I know all about it

I finally got my laptop back and it is fixed, but I lost all of my memory, so like 4 years of my life just whoosh! GONE! But it's my fault for not taking care of my laptop like I should and that's life. Anyway, I was up to 235 even today, that's a .6 gain...I also had Taco Bell for dinner at like 10:30, drinks and bar nut mix (while I was buzzed from the aforementioned drinks) but it was okay over all, a 6 ounce gain is not going to kill me. But I am being extra careful the next few days to see if I can get down to my first mini-goal of 233.7 by official weigh-in day, Monday. Have a good weekend ladies, and let's keep it up, Memorial Day is approaching faster than I thought it would!!!

ETA: on the weight for today, after going to the ahem, loo, I was down to 234.6 so only a 2-ounce gain!!! That's still a gain though

Corinne Thats a good point. I have said from the beginning that i wanted this to be a lifestyle change not a diet. I have said to so many people that i wont be successful if i completely cut out everything that "normal" friends eat too. SO i should just be happy with the fact that i didnt OVER indulge and not feel bad about it. (Secretly, i really dont lol)

FIT haha wouldnt it figure we just got done talking about kicking butt to keep us in line and then both have an off day! haha oh well, moving on! Moved right on to having sushi today after i went to the gym haha so much for that!!

Either way, not the WORST decision! having an apple for a snack today and even though my lunch/dinner is loaded with carbs (lean cuisine- tortilla crusted tilapia) Its still relatively low sodium and low calorie!! maybe i'll think up something really healthy for my meal later after i do Turbo Fire!!? Hmm.. i want something light but something easy... not sure what, maybe fish again... i'm open to suggestions.

And i have a question. Anyone have opinions on the Healthy Choice steamers? i had the Rotini and Zesty Marinara yesterday.. it wasnt the best tasting thing in the world but are they really any good for you? When i went to put it in my calorie counter, the thing i pulled up said and equivelant 6.95 oz of pasta and sauce is only 165 calories but my meal was 300. Not sure if thats an accurate comparison. Would it just be better calorie and carb wise to just cook pasta from a box with tomato sauce?

Thanks! Happy Friday Everyone!

Oh and i have a weigh in sunday that i'm a little unsure about. been up and down all week weighing in at the gym and at home.. Hopefully itll be at least 2 lbs... and then i have a bridal shower on sunday with a breakfast buffet... hopefully there will be yogurt and fruit or something. Breakfast is kinda a weakness for me. Any suggestions on how to do well with that too?

Phat: I'm sorry to hear that you lost your job.

I back down to 114.8 now, so... yay! lol My body fat percentage is down to 24.3% (lost 1%), my water percentage is 55.2%, and my BMI is 21.1. I am ecstatic.

Let's keep up the good work everyone! Have a great weekend. Oh, and here's a pic of my new tattoo.

I am off to a terrible start on this challenge. I've done nothing but gain weight all week. I am going to try hard to stick to my plan from here on out, but God help me with tomorrow's pizza and Dairy Queen cake birthday party! I might have to fain an upset stomach to keep me from even trying a bite. One bite and I know it will set off a binge. Thought I could leave work early today and get a head start at the gym, but now it looks like I'll be working late. Another bummer. I AM getting to the gym, though!
Great job to all you ladies who are trying so hard! I wish I had found more self-control this week. It was a very tough week for me. I hope to report back better results soon.

Jacy.