Aphil, I'm so happy for you!! What a wonderful present(s)!! Jason sure did a good job for your Christmas. You deserve it! I've gone back and read throught some of the old threads and may I say WOW! You are such an inspiration to me! And everyone is doing so well maintaining during this notorious weight-gaining time of the year - yeah team!

I got on the scale this am and had picked up a pound and a half since my inactivity... it could have been worse, I reckon. Am going to do some weights this pm (upper body with the dumbells here at home) even though I can't do the cardio, I sure can still do the weight-lifting.

Motivation is such a key for me - I love success stories and inspiration and I realize I need this on a daily basis! Soooo, I set tivo up to record all the "I Lost It's", "The Biggest Loser" and "Health Cops" so I can flip it on anytime I've a spare moment (and Boobah, Teletubbies or Blues Clues aren't on ) and soak up some inspiration!

Happy day before the day before the day before Christmas!
Del

~Hey everyone~

Popping in this evening to say hello...drinking a bottle of water. I had an early dinner, and I am trying to avoid any "munching" until my alotted snack when the kids go to bed. Dinner tonight was some pasta and broccoli.
My strength training today kicked my behind...let me tell you. I especially worked my thighs and shoulders extra hard...man, they were singing to me!

Tomorrow I am planning on a pretty heavy cardio workout...and a tough strength training workout on Friday...because my workouts over the weekend will have to be light/quick due to rushing around for holiday gatherings...so I am really working it-giving it an extra 5-10 minutes or a tougher strength session through the week to make up for that. (Planning ahead!!! )

Here is my journal for the day:

~breakfast~
organic natural cereal bar
orange-pineapple juice

~lunch~
chicken soup
organic apple

~pre-workout snack~
2oz. mixed nuts

~dinner~
pasta with tomato sauce made with extra lean beef
broccoli-2 servings

~evening snack~ (planned for a little later tonight)
yogurt
candy cane or two Hershey Kisses

(not sure which yet-I allow myself one small "treat" food each day-both choices are both 50 calories-so it will be whichever one I end up being in the mood for at the time. )

Exercise: 1 hour strength training with weights
Total:1500 calories

Hi Ladies ,

Well how did everyones Christmas go? Mine went well. I got some great stuff from my DH.....$200 gift card to go get new clothes, the elliptical, an ipod to use while I exercise and a lot of little things like oil of olay stuff and jewerly that I can wear to work. My DD got too much but had a great time. This was a big year for her, since she just turned 4, she was really in to it! I put the elliptical together on Sunday and it took so long to do! I woke up Saturday morning and felt like I was getting sick! I have been taking some anti Bio... that I had, to knock it out, so I haven't got to try out my machine yet
I plan on doing it tonight. I have to work about 52 hours this week but I can use the money so I will do it. It will be so hard to workout though. I threw away all the party left overs Sunday morning ! I am going to get back in gear! I am hoping to get that room we have fixed up this weekend. I put the elliptical up there and need to get my DH to carry the treadmill up the stairs then I am just going to put a few mirrors up and I have my little work out room.....I am trying to get my best friend to come over once a week so we can do a full hour or so work out together to make it more fun then if I can get in the 20 minutes or so a day and get back to eating right I think I will loose this last 30+ lbs by summer???

Aphil I am so impressed with your food choices and eating habbits! It takes a lot of time, mind power and $ to eat so good....

I have been putting my DD in her bed alone for the past 3 nights but it is hard. She cries and keeps coming out and I just walk her back in there. I messed up last night and let her fall asleep on the couch?

This is what I ate yesterday on Sunday:

9AM coffe w/ wheat toast and peanut butter
1PM small frozen WW dinner w/ water
2PM Hand full of walnuts and 3-4 yogurt covered prencils w/ water
7PM grilled chicken sandwich w/fries and a diet coke McDonalds
9PM water

We are past the holidays now! I have to kick it in gear! No more eating bad and not exercising. Wish me luck tonight that I make it up there to work out. I will not get home till 7pm and I left the house this morning at 6:25AM.


Start June 03 212lbs
mid way June 04 156lbs
December 04 164lbs
Goal is 128lbs for Aug 05 ?

Hi everyone,

I am going to throw all the leftovers that I should not be eating out when I get home from work today. I did terrible Saturday and Sunday! This is the first time in a year that I have had two bad days in a row and I am anxious to get back on track, which means counting fat and calories and staying within the range that I am allowing myself. My boyfriend and I have decided that we are not going to any News Years Eve parties. We are staying home and celebrating. I am glad. I won't be tempted with any goodies.

I am not going to beat myself up over the way I have messed up this holiday season because I know how much better I am doing this year as opposed to last year. The biggest plus is I am getting right back on track with counting calories and fat. Another plus, I am anxious to get to the gym tonight. I am doing better at recognizing my limitations. For example, I know what to stay away from because I will eat it, such as chocolate. We received a large basket of chocolate at work from a customer. We usually leave it in the front lobby area, by me. This year I put it in the lunch room, so the other employees could have access to it and it would not be calling to me all day. I also will not allow myself to not count my fat and calories on Fitday.com. No matter how badly I have done for the day, (except for my day off). I will not allow myself to slip one day on this, because it might turn in to two, and so on. I know I am eventually going to have to give up my Saturdays off, but am not ready to do that yet. One step at a time.

Deb

I just posted an intro in the WW section, but wanted to introduce myself here

I'm Melinda, 26 years old and from northern Virginia. I work as a human resources assistant for the military (as a civilian). I'm married to Ryan, and he's a mechanic at a Dodge dealership and is also in the inactive Reserves as a Marine (he was active duty for 4 years).

I graduated from HS in '96 weighing 215 lbs. I started walking a lot, watching what I ate, and between August of 96 and spring of 97 I had lost about 30 lbs on my own. I ended up joining Weight Watchers, went there on and off for the next few years and by Sept of 01 I had gotten down to 134 lbs. Between the stress of 9/11, the stress of living with Ryan for the first time when he got out of the military and planning a wedding I gained back 60lbs. We're trying to start a family, but I want to lose as much as I can before I do become pregnant. In a smart way, no crash dieting here!

Oh and for my stats, I'm 5'1", 194lbs.

Looking forward to chatting with all of you!

Welcome Melinda. WW is a good plan. Almost everyone has started posting their food intake for the day ( except me) so looks like I need to start. Jump in here with us and post yours
if you want. Are you planning on adding some exercise to your program?

Amoses. Hooray for throwing out those leftovers. I know that you are excited about your excercise room and elliptical. Looks like you are making a good start to lose your 30 lbs by summer. I believe that you can do it and I will be here to cheer you on.

Debbie. Good going on throwing your leftovers out. Smart move on putting the candy in the lunch room. Let "them" eat candy! Sounds like you are reved up for the new year. I'll be cheering you on too!

Aphil, Your new ring set sounds lovey. I know that really made this year extra special for you. The romantic part of it was, that it was all your DH's idea. I am really glad for you.

I am feeling better healthwise and am ready to commit to losing this weight. I know that it is not going to go, unless I do both moderate calorie intake and moderate exercise. Consistency is going to be the name of the game for me. I will be posting my meals here daily with the rest of you because I think that it will help me make better choices. So far today:

Breakfast
45 cal wheat toast
boiled egg
coffee/ cup skim milk

Lunch
tuna sandwich
on 45 cal wheat bread
5 cal iced peach tea

more later...

Hi everyone!

Christmas went great-but I am really tired. We had 5 different Christmas gatherings over the weekend...all at different places. I am pretty wiped.

amoses-it does take some time and planning to eat how I do...but actually it is not as expensive as you might think. I email companies that have products I like (like Kashi and other health food companies) and ask them if they have any coupons-and I use them when they send them to me. Our grocery store doubles coupons...and it really helps. I also read the sale ad before I go shop-and plan meals around what is on sale. If apples and cantalaupe are on sale this week-that is what fruit I buy. If bagged salad and strawberries are what produce is on sale next week-that is what I will get. Just takes a little planning to do. I also buy less "junk" so I will willingly spend $3 for a pack of blueberries...because I am not putting the $3 bag of Doritos in my cart.

Some of the things I buy are actually pretty cheap-I drink hot tea for the antioxidants-and a box of Bigelow Flavored tea/green tea/herbal tea is only about $2.00. I only drink about 3 diet sodas a week...so a case of it lasts me a long time, etc.

Well-I better get going. We just took down the tree...and I am still washing new clothes that we recieved as gifts...and have a lot of things to do today!

Everyone have a great day!
Aphil

okay here is Dinner:

Bowl of vegetable beef soup (home made)
2 open faced cheese toasts
glass of skimmed milk

1 piece chocolate fudge (90 cal sm sq)

not much water to day. will do better tomorrow

Hi to all!
Just checking in to let you know that I am going raw for a minimum of 30 days! That means no cooked foods - only fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds - nothing heated above 110 degrees. The longest I've done raw at once was 14 days straight back in the fall and then 12 days straight a couple of years ago. My thing is to not go off raw too soon and when I do have my 1st non-raw meal, no junk and hop right back to 100%.

I know you might be thinking that is too radical to do an all raw diet - it is hard with SAD folks all around - but the health benefits are amazing and so worth it (not to mention the weightloss). Aphil, if anyone could go raw and succeed, you could! You have amazing willpower and besides Scorpio's comprise the majority of the rawfoodists on the living-foods message board and you sound like you are all Scorpio!

Amie, it sounds like you Christmas was grand! You can find the time for exercise, you can do it. Your daughter will be all the better for a mommy who is happy with herself and getting physical activity! Even if it means 30 minutes time more away.

Hi Melinda! I'm in VA too, down south of Richmond. Welcome!

Happy New Year to ALL!
-Del

Yup...I'm a Scorpio!

Hi

Well I did it. I went home last night, ate and after my food settled I went up there and used my elliptical for the first time. I turned on the stereo so my DD could dance around up there with me. At first I felt like I was not going to even get to 10 minutes, it was hard! I pushed past the 10 min mark to 15 then I told my self I could make it 5 more minutes and did 20 minutes and 10 sec. I have never worked out that hard on my treadmill, not even in 50 minutes. I felt almost sick after. I just pushed myself to do 20 minutes and it was the first time on. It was so out of my comfort zone so this may be the thing that gets me over this hump! Today I feel fine becouse I stretched out good before and after but my arms feel weak. I have to try to take this one day at a time. So my mission tonight is to go up there for another 20 minutes while my DD is in the tub (her daddy can watch her).

Aphil, you are right about the planning......I get lazy with that sometimes. I never look at the sales papers or use coupon, again too lazy. I don't like to go to more than one store. I go once a week and get everything for that whole week. I do plan out my meals for the week. This week I made a daily menu that is timed out through the day and I am going to buy all the fresh veggies, berries and fruit and start eating good again. I do have a grocorie budget and it seems like when I buy all the fresh stuff my bill is way higher and it makes it easy to settle. I do not buy too much junk and my DH always complains becouse I don't bring home sweets on grocorie day!

Hope you come back soon Vermontmom and Susan.......

My meals for Monday:

5:30 AM 1 whole wheat toast w/ 1 tsp peanut butter and a coffee
8:30 1 pk oat meal, coffee
10:00 small hand full of walnuts w/ water
11:30 Frozen WW dinner w/ water
3:00PM small snack size pk of gold fish? w/water
7:30 small portion of lean steak, brocolli, 1 tiny plan baked potatoe
w/ 1/2 tsp low fat ranch dressing and water

20 minutes on Elliptical and stretched out whole body before and after


Amie

HELLO LADIES!!!

amoses, you're so sweet to miss me thanks!

As I work in foodservice retail in a winter resort town, the past week(s)? have been brutally busy. and it won't let up til after New Years.

Huge frustrations at work with staff just not doing what they're supposed to!!!! we have meetings, communicate, write employee memos, and they still blow their duties off. It's the boss lady and I (Assistant Manager) "against" the Manager and his staff of numbnuts. I try so hard not to get worked up about it, but what happens is that I work my full 8 hours plus, and have overtime, but the others don't even work 6 hours!!! But the boss lady is on my side, and thinks I can do no wrong so that's very good.

Exercising...I've lost a couple days, 'cause on Christmas Eve i came down with something icky, clenching pains in my stomach/gut and the bathroom trots VERY uncomfortable for 2 days. I didn't lose my appetite, but about 15 minutes after eating anything I had to make a beeline for the loo. I was just too weak feeling to exercise, and coupled with my early work hours (be at work at 5:00 am or 6:00 am) I know, excuses, excuses!

eating has been erratic....nothing at all for morning/early afternoon hours, then a combined lunch/dinner/snack...exactly AGAINST what smart people like aphil advises I haven't climbed on the scale, afraid, afraid!!! Haven't been drinking water either. There are rules against us having our drinks in sight in the store, and I just can't find places to hide it I hate my winter job

Onto positive....aphil, congratulations on your beautiful diamond!!! How sensitive of your dear husband!

amie, I feel for you in the struggles with the children...it is so hard to be a good parent, and even harder to find time for yourself. And trying to feed the family "normally" while we're trying to eat well is a challenge. I wish you strength in your battles!

Christine!!! I am so glad to hear from one of our founding ladies!!!! Hope your're feeling great!

Hello to our newest members! when I have more time I will go back and learn names but I welcome you and wish you life time success.

take care, I hope to not be absent so much but I know i will be at least til after the first or so...

love,
Holly

Hi everyone!

We have been busy here as well...we have an annual New Years party with different theme each year-and we have been preparing for the big event. This year's theme is Seinfeld...so to sum it up-we are busy building a set for the garage...we go all out each year for our one big bash.

My ring came back from being resized yesterday...it is BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I can't quit looking at it.

Well...back to the grind. I have to have this place in tip top shape...and finish all of the "props" for the party...the Merv Griffin Show set...the Urban Sombrero...the mock coffee shop booth...and the Seinfeld buffet...muffin tops, Junior Mints, JujyFruits, Babka, Ring Dings and Pepsi...Snapple...I am even making a display of chocolate eclairs on paper doilies served in a small (clean and new)trash can. (From the episode where George got caught eating one out of the trash) Yeah...we go all out on our theme parties.

Hello

Welcome back Holly! I was just worried you had given up on the fight... I know how you feel but just work through it the best you can and don't be hard on your self, then you can get back to "you" after the rush is over.

Today is going to get up to 59 so I might go out today and do my lunch walk. I feel good this week and am doing so good. Like I said, I am struggling not to go back and give up so I am taking it one day at a time and with the overtime this week............ I may do one more week of 50+ hours than I think we will back to 40's. I am also taking a week off on the second week of January to spend time with all my family that is coming down for a visit. I went up stair last night at 9:30 PM and did my 20 minutes on my elliptical. Oh boy did it kick my butt. This time I did a slow resistance increase than back down to 1 and I burned more calories but I really forced my self to make it the full 20 mintues and my head was throbing after and I was so hot and could not move off the couch to go to bed! I never relized how use to the treadmill I was. I could go almost an hour and not even be breathing that heavy! I hope it becomes easier......I might do a video tonight then do the machine again tomorrow?

Tuesday:

5:30 wheat toast w/ 1 tsp peanut butter and a coffee
7:20 water
8:30 1 pk of oatmeal w/ a coffee
11:30 small prtion of steak, "plain" tiny baked potatoe and brocolli w/ water
3:00PM Apple and a coffee too much coffee I get so sleepy at the
computer all day?
7:30 3/4 of a skinless Grilled chicken breast on a salad w/ 1 serv. of Light
Ranch w/ small glass of 2% milk
8:30 water
10:00 PM water

20 minutes on elliptical and full body stretch before and after....

It was a good day

Amie

Hi Ladies


Wednesday:

6:00AM wheat toast w/ peanut butter and a coffee
9:30AM 1 pk oatmeal w/ water
11:30 Grilled chicken on a salad w/ 1 serv. low fat ranch w/ water
3:00PM 1 pk mixed nuts, raisens, and yogurt chips w/ coffee
4:00PM water
7:00PM sm lean hamburger "plain" w/ wheat bun, lettuce, tomatoe, light sprinkle of
2% lowfat cheese. Small portion of baked fries and a small cup of 2% milk.
8:30 water
9:30 water

workout: 20 min fast lunch walk and last night did a 20 minute video (Pilates) and stretched out good after.

I am on a roll.............I am going to plan on using the elliptical tonight. I am thinking about doing a 6 days a week routine where I have two days of elliptical one day pilates then two more days of elliptical than the last day pilates then sunday off (only from workout NOT diet). I may switch videos or use the treadmill now and then when I am board? I am looking towards my goal of 6-8 lbs in the next 2-3 weeks so I can feel better using that big gift card for clothes. I have gained 8lbs back and my size is not higher but is not fitting as comfortable as it was and I would like to go in the store and feel good and maybe even be one size smaller. This is my motovation right now.

Amie