Hi all,

I am doing good and OP. I did my Pilates last night and my mom and sister came over and did it with me. That was funny, being that it was there first time. He He He

I feel good this week, I hope to see a small loss this week and I want to measure this Sunday. I can not seem to make it more than two weeks!
Amy, I agree about "that first day back" being the hardest....I don't see how you can go a month or more at a time with out weighing or measuring?

Hope your feeling better Holly....It will be summer before you know it and you can just jump on that bike and go for a long ride and feel free for a while....OH my DH has told me that if I let him get a Harley that he will quite smoking. He even has some prescription stuff from the doctor. I forget the name but my Aunt..Lori's mom quit on it and she smoked most of her life maybe 20-30 years?? Now I don't know where he thinks he is getting the money for this bike but I sounds good to me since I want him to quit and will get to ride on the bike too. He he ....

Sunday is my B-day .....32! We are having friends and family over Saturday night. Then some drinks after my step father leaves (doesn't like to see people drinking...?)

Have a great weekend!

Amie

Happy weekend to all!

Thanks, U-Princess, I will definitely check out the Nalgene bottles next time I'm at Le Targette....

Aphil - I love LOTR and Mists - a couple of my favs, too!!! (and Harry Potter (and I say that with a v. bad british accent) and Star Wars and anything Jane Austen).....

Amie - Happy Birthday!! - Now you better NOT beat yourself up for any birthday indulgence that might occur - it is your special day and with how awesome you've been OP lately - you deserve a treat with no remorse!

Now for my big news (drumroll here) I finally broke my plateau - woo and hoo! I was 197.5 this am with measures all down to boot. My OP eating last week and my extra cardio workouts did the trick.

Everyone have a super weekend!

Hello friends!

I am having SUCH a hard time now keeping my eating under control. I even considered taking a leave of absense from here because I don't want to be such a bad example. Aphil, that day you helped by advising me to go back to journaling...I tried!!! but it all goes to h*ll at work. I just grab a cookie when I feel the anger/frustration building...and then it's just not one cookie. I start out in the mornings FINE...a good, sensible breakfasst...and I'm okay then with having a sensible lunch...but late afternoon/nights are a disaster. I can blame it on everything that 's not going my way (and there seems to be alot lately, both at work and at home) but ultimately it's my own bad choices.

As in the past, I think I'm "saved" from a 20 lb gain from my consistent exercise...but I want to kick myself thinking of what could have been possible at this point, if I could just stick to calorie counting. I can feel more muscle tone in my legs, flanks and arms...I WOULD be a size smaller by now if I ate less/right!

I was scared of my thought of leaving here...that could make things worse for me! so I dragged out my measuring charts. Haven't measured since November, when I saw the scale was up to 151. I am cautiously optimistic after measuring this morning, though. The "damage" isnt' that bad. Again, can only credit my consistent exercise for that.

June 2003 May 2004 Nov 2004 Feb. 2005

Weight 142 145 151 152

Bust 34 1/2 34 34 1/2 34 1/2

Waist 28 28 28 1/2 28 1/2

Hips - over
fattest
tummy part 35 34 35 35
Hips-very
widest
part 36 37 37-38 38

Left
Thigh 23 23 23-23 1/2 23 1/2

Right
Thigh 22 3/4 22 1/2 23 1/2 24

Left Arm
very
widest
part 12.5 13 13 13

Right
Arm 12 12 1/2 12 1/2 12 1/2

Left
Calf
very
widest 15 1/2 16 16 16

Right
Calf
very
widest 16 16 16 16

sorry that this didn't line up precisely chart-like.

edit - CRAP CRAP CRAP!!!! The chart keeps looking different when I preview it, then it shows up terrrible. I'm not doing it again!!! sorry for how stupid it looks. maybe you can read it, sigh.

so even though I am weighing 10 pounds more from my lightest, my measurements don't show that much damage.

(sigh) again, "starting now" I am going to try my hardest. Again.

Congrats to those who are doing well, congrats del!! and to aphil for working so hard, on both her projects (creating new costumes AND creating new body!) Happy B-day in advance to amie! yay to Lori for being good on her eating! and hello to everyone else.

Amie - about your DH wanting a bike - cool! If he has his heart set on a Harley, that's great, however they ARE pricey. But totally worth it, they have an amazing re-sale value. However, if he would consider going metric (Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda) they are quite affordable. Calculate what he would save on quitting smoking - though they are probably cheaper further south, correct? a pack of Marlboros up here (well, at the crap-shack where I work ) is $5.13, with tax.

Me again to tell you how my stupid work is invading me, I am having work-related nightmares I woke up from one the other night, my husband is asking me "who is Leo?" In my dream , that was the name of the employee who screwed up a special order, and (again) I had to be the one to face the customer, to admit some employee ("Leo") messed up, and I had to make it right. We don't even have anyone named Leo at work

Holly,
Allright sweetie, I'm just going to put this out there - you need to find another job!!! Nightmares!?!? That place - uh, crap-shack I believe you called it - is putting you through too much, physically, mentally, emotionally, dietetically (sp?) and even subconciously! Why, it's my belief that that crap-shack is being quite detrimental (sp? again) to your health! Now, I know I do not know all about your situation and circumstances and maybe there may not be too many other employment opportunities up there (am picturing Vermont as lots of trees, log cabins, snow, with moose and bigfoots abounding - never been but would love to visit!) but there has got to be something better! And yes, I can see why the exercise has definitely helped with keeping your weight/size in check -it has to have been a form of stress and aggression release for you with that work environment!

Alas, take heart! My prayers are with you - the right thing will come up at just the right time - believe it!

hi guys!
Holly-I'm impressed even though you have gained back a little weight you still have been good about going to the gym! How often and for how long do usually go? Its been really hard for me to change my eating habits so I'm figuring I should get my butt to the gym more, I'm not sure how much would make a difference though. We havea cardio machines, bikes, stair climbers, ellipticals. they all say you burn all different amounts of calories at different times, doingn different programs, so I have no idea which one is right. or how i should calculate it. I have definitely been going more than I ever have been in ever in my life. but i havent been sticking with my eating plan so there hasnt been much of a difference. My mom just visited me, and we had been trying to do the same slow weight loss thing, well she lost 10 lbs i lost 5. so now she is skinnier than me, noticeably. so im happy for her, it just sucks for me. So I'm motivated to get my butt in gear, so hopefully when I see her in 3 weeks for spring break I will be a little lighter! Hope everyone has a nice sunday!

Morning all.....

I am still here! Had a very busy week at work. Lot's of driving and 2 workshops to facilitate. So busy! Next week will be busy as well! Another workshop to do on Thursday and still need to get it put togther! On top of that I have coe down with a nasty chest cold! Just an achey chest, a bit of a sore throat, and just overall tired. Slept in a bit yesterday and took an 2 1/2 hour nap in the afternoon and was back in bed at 11 last night. Slept in a bit today and I am sure I will be napping again today! I hope to shake this so I can keep up with stuff next week. The guy I am seeing is making dinner tonight, so Ihope to be feeling better later.

Eating-wise........didn't do too bad! Friday I opened the flood gates and had lunch at Bennigans, not the worse choice on the menu, but certainly not the best, then went out for drinks with friends Friday night......but got right back OP and feeling good! Been avveraging 1600 cal a day, with some days more and some days less....so I mix it up a bit. I could exercise more, but with such a bad work week, the time just gets away...so if I go 2-3 times a week, I am doing well, things should slow down atually after this week, so I should be able to get back at it 4-5 times!

A question.......What should the % of fat/carbs/protein be for a balanced diet? Mine has been 40/40/15 more of less......thanks!

Lillybutt

Hey everyone! First off, Holly please don't quit posting! You have been a regular here for the past couple of years and even though I don't post often I catch up on the weekends for my weekly read. I look forward to your posts and look at your past success as inspiration for me. As far as being a "bad example" its quite the contrary. You set an example of realism...that not everyday is going to be great and we are not always going to be at that perfect number, but we don't quit and keep trying. You ARE a success story to me! I'm sorry your job is so bad, I'd probably be stress eating all the time if I had to put up with a boss like that.

Well I've been fighting off this flu bug pretty well I thought until this past Friday when I got a sore throat. Yesterday I was achey all over so I took the day off from cardio to try to nip this thing. I'm feeling much better today but still congested and all that crap. I'm going back to the gym tomorrow. It's weight-lifting day so we'll see how that goes. I'm happy to say that as of this morning I was at 145. we are leaving for Aruba April 1, so I am going to shoot for 139 by then. That's only 6 pounds in almost 5 weeks, so definitely doable. If your wondering why I chose 139..there is no reason other than I haven't been in the 130s since I was 21 (I'm 32 now). So I cant wait to get there! I was trying on my summer stuff for the trip and the shorts that I couldn't wear last year because they were too tight are now too big! gotta love that! Everyone have a good one!

Hello ladies-

del, thank you! (sniff, thank goodness for friends ) I am out of there at the end of April, so the end IS in sight. In the meantime, I am making myself feel better by being very rude to the owner. I'm almost daring him to fire me, I think. Hee hee.

Chubella, thank you for being impressed I actually work out at home. I have a few different videos. I do something aerobic for my heart and burning fat (either floor aerobics, or step aerobice) and weight-training; I use hand-held dumbbells or strap-on weights.

hi lilybutt! tight schedule you have, keep on keeping on!

hi jacklyn!!!! always good when we see you! thank you for your support It was in a moment of real "sinking" that I thought of slipping away from here. I won't! CONGRATS on your losses!!! and yeah! to those big shorts!!

HEY!!! my husband decided (ON HIS OWN) to do the South Beach Diet. I said "great!! As long as it's nothing like Atkins. I won't have that diet in my house." He said, "the beginning phase is just like Atkins." I just expressed my opinion that Atkins was expensive, and unhealthy. He replied that he lost 35 pounds on it. I DIDN'T reply ("and gained it back, plus more").

But I apologized for not being initially supportive, and said that I would do my part by trying also to cut way back on refined sugars/flours. AND I said, "and you know exercise is imperative, right?" He agreed, and just now he came in from outside, walking our driveway (it has a slope, and is aerobic if done briskly, and with weights held, which he did.) So that's good, right? 'cause one of my beefs lately, as you know, was being scared of potential health issues for him, and feeling that my efforts to "take care of myself" should be done by my partner also.

whew! long paragraph

THANK YOU friends, it means so much to talk here. I don't do much (like ANYTHING) with friends here, so you all are my girly-girlfriends.

that cracked me up, thanks!!! yep, that's just about it, too

Holly, don't let those people stress you out, at least not too badly, but I know that is easier said than done.

I worked out today, that makes 4 times this week with a mix of pilates, weight training and my all time favorite, the arc trainer. I think I need to pick a time of day to weigh and stick with it, because I'm getting different numbers, but I remembered that you weigh a different amount at different times of the day. Sadly, I will not be taking pilates next term, but I will be taking trampoline and the second level of African dance. Well, I'm off, everyone have a good evening.

Mel

Hi everyone!

Holly-South Beache's first phase is similar to Atkins, but after that they start allowing a lot more fruits and vegetables than Atkin's does-so it is healthier. It pretty much cuts out all refined/white carb products and sugars.

Holly-you said that you start out in the morning doing okay, and that it goes to the birds at work. Do you bring anything with you to eat at work? A good solution for you may just be to have a whole grain granola or Kashi bar, an easy to eat piece of fruit (banana, etc) a baggie of Kashi cereal (measured out into a serving) that you can eat with your hands easily-like the Heart To Heart cereal-or something to that effect. Even a peanut butter sandwich with whole grain bread brought with you would be good. Journal it in the morning before you go, bring it with you, and you can grab it when you get hungry at work. When I go to all day dance workshops I have to bring my own food-so I am not stuck with only fast food places for a quick bite in a strange town.
Please don't stop posting even if you are not doing well. Being here is keeping you in some sense of control with diet and exercise. Besides...we like you.

Busy, busy weekend! We had a performance for the National Day Of Dance at a large hospital Saturday-and we ended up on the news!!!! A friend called me yesterday morning and said she saw me dancing on the news Saturday evening! We were also on the news channel website:

http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=3003370

After the Saturday performance we had an interview with the local newspaper-the articles will be in the entertainment section this Sunday and next.

Yesterday afternoon we had a technical rehearsal-and I had a lot of things to get done around here as well. I have lots of costume work to get done today, plus strength training, and I have to sit down and pay the bills!

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Morning ladies...I didnt post last week because it was such an awful week. I didnt stick to my plan at all...had a disagreement with my husband and I turned another year older. LOL. Anyhow, I was just in a stinky mood. I really am realizing how close spring and summer are and I just cant be this size another summer. It's driving me crazy. My husband is so excited about riding the Harley in next month or so, but I refuse to get on it unless I do something about myself. So, another week. This time I am going to work harder at it and do some exercising. I hope you are doing well. Take care!

HI Ladies

Before I get to my self.....

Holly Don;t you dare leave us! I luv reading your post, I would be so upset if you left We all go through these things...For some of us it is eating and for others exercise. It is hard to keep them both in line and OP all the time. Stress only adds to that! You look so great and with the way you work out I think you will be just fine. The fact that you are aware of your eating and that it is bothering you says it all. I don't think you will continue to slide. For me it is mind over matter. As soon as you go to grab that cookie you stop your self, think of your boss and the others there....Do you want to give them the satisfaction of stressing you out and gaining weight. Maybe you can use that way of thinking as a defence?? I have my for you. I think we all struggle with dinner time that is for sure No matter how long it takes you to get back on your feet, all that matters is that you do. The exercise is keeping you from gaining too much.
Mind over matter...Don't let your boss be the reason you give up and gain weight, that only hurts you!

My DH is one of those that has to have a Harley...The ones he has looked at have been in the 28K range? I think it is way too much money, but we would both love it and with the smoking gone that will save on money and health cost later! We will see. It will be another year before we get things in order (paying off a few bills etc..) to make room for a bike payment. Also he would be selling his hot rod for a large down payment.

Del for the loss! I know how it feels to be at a stand still than see that scale move

rebelridergirl Happy late birthday....Mine was Sunday.

Ok some good news for me!! I weighted in and measured Sunday and had a loss of 2lbs last week I was so so thrilled to see 153.6 on that scale the lowest I've seen in the last 6-8 years is like 156.8 back in July? I weighted my self Saturday morning and seen the 153 and than again Sunday in disbelief and it was still 153 I also measured, it had only been two weeks but I lost 1/4 " in tummy, 1/4 in hips, 1/2 in chest and legs and arms were the same. Holly my arms and legs are measuring the same as yours....My chest is like 42 +- though and my tummy and hips are like 38's - 42's ?? Don't have my chart here at work?
My birthday party went well and we had some fun. I did eat some bad stuff but not too bad. I can eat as much as I use to. The bad thing is last night my mom and sister talked me into eating out! I didn't eat too much but it was fatty foods and more than a normal serving! I really felt bad about that after loosing the 2 lbs but I did work out all weekend and had eating good that whole day and later that night did not eat. only had some tea and water oh and a thin slice of cantilope after my workout but it was like 9PM.

My progress over the last few months:
June 03 212.8
June 04 156.8
June -Dec 04 167.00
Jan 05- Feb 05 153.6

June of this year will be 2 years for me keeping it off and loosing!

Hope every one has a great week and stays OP

Amie