Hi EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So good to see so many encouraging and inspiring posts,even over the weekend. Ususally it's more quiet and I hadn't bothered to check.

I, myself am eating less again, and did better over the weekend. Fri I had a piece of a dangerous cake without looking at the nutrition label first and found I had wolfed 500 calories, so I was very on guard over the weekend. Yesterday for lunch I made brown basmati rice and a colorful saute of veggies, and measured myself a cup of each. That way I know if I go back for more, the calories count will soar. Then DH watched TV in bed and I was away from the kitchen until I was really hungry. He doesn't have dinner (on an early sched), so I don't have to fuss with that.

Also have the walking going. I'll be thinking about adding videos soon. Interesting subject about the gym. That would be a bone of contention w/DH but you all have me seeing it isn't necessary, just a choice. Although the town here might have something.

Holly, thanks for posting the menu. It sometimes is good to see how others do it. I carry a protein bar with me, which I take one bite out of when I'm on the road and a meal is running too late for me. They taste a little ugly to me and I'm not inclined to polish it off.

Here's to another good week! Amie Ellen Tekla, Carol, all
Elyse

Hello everyone!

Ellen, congrats on joining the gym! It's been years since I've been to one, I do videotapes at home, so the other knowledgeable ladies here will have to give advice on it.

teckla, I am really looking forward to Myrtle Beach! I live in Vermont, where winter is from November to early April or so In fact, when we went two years ago, we left the last week of April, and there was still snow on the sides of the road here, though by the time we traveled about 350 miles, things were green in north New Jersey, and in the 80's by North Carolina It was also the first time I was in the ocean since I was a teenager.

I am doing good, ladies!!!! Am down a couple of pounds. I am a big believer in measuring inches instead of relying on the scale, but I do know I need to be down a few (like at least 10) pounds of body fat, so I will dig out my measuring tape and chart soon.

Loosing a few pounds is definitely due to - strict calorie counting, and the increased cardio I have added. Basically, any day that I exercise, whether it's a strength day or cardio day, I add 30 minutes more of cardio.

I need a 'crutch' along the lines of allowing myself a little sweet treat, and I bought a package of the Nabisco small-portioned cookies. Most are around 170 calories per packet. They allow me to stick to the rules during the day, if I know can have my treat with a cup of tea in the evening.

keep on keep'n on ladies!

Amie and Holly~I would love to go back to Myrtle beach, DH and I went there on our Honeymoon. We had a blast, and being from Chicago, getting out of the cold was refreshing too!

Doing good here, My main motivation for joining the gym was that I could not get my tapes done here at home because of the kiddies. The gym we joined has an awsome child care center, and the kids love it!! SO it is easy for all involved. Eating has been good, and I have been to the gym everyday this week. Dh and I are plannin gon going this afternoon. It is nice to have some together time without the kids everyday. His hours at work are pretty messed up, so I don't get to spend a lot of time with him anymore.

Have to run and get my housework done. Later chicas!

good morning!

Ellen, that is GREAT that the gym offers day care, and that the children love it. Also great you and husband look forward to the time that you have together.

Lori - I saw there is a sticky here about drinking water, how much is really needed. It seems well-researched and factual, and debunks myths. One of them was that flavored water "doesn't count" - they say it does, as it IS a fluid. Maybe I was "off" on my advice I do know that I need the 8 glasses to help fill me, and to ward off that false hungry feeling.

Hello to everyone else! I am still sticking to my program, wonder of wonders! am down a couple of pounds. A couple of weeks ago I was hovering around 160, now 156. I know not to rely on the scale as an absolute, I should measure this morning as a more accurate reading of what's going on.

have a great, on-program day!

oh!! hey, last month marked my FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY here! yup, joined in Feb. of 2002. Somewhere I have a list of the original Doin' It thread participants....I'll see if I can find it.

Holly-

The "original" Doin' It The Old Fashioned Way thread starter is STILL here as well.
I am just so busy with moderating here now, my life (we recently moved, Jason got a new job, I am still performing and teaching on occasion, and we have baby #3 on the way!) that I haven't gotten the time to get over here all of the time.

I am almost 4 months now, and I am staying active with this pregnancy-belly dancing professionally still, doing prenatal yoga, and walking. I am trying to eat as healthy as I can this time around as well-hopefully I will only gain 25-35 pounds this time around, instead of the usual 45-60.

Holly, Amie, and all of the old "regulars"-how are you all doing? If you are interested-I have a new piccie in my profile taken about 3 weeks ago during a performance.

aphil~I love your pic! It is so awsome that you can do that, even at my lowest I had a hard time with that. I am pretty flexible, but wow!

I fell off the wagon today, but I think I allowed it, I did not feel out of control at all, just kept eating after I was full. I am so ready to be back on plan tomorrow!!! I can already see a difference in my legs and thighs, so it is exciting to know that I CAN do this. I am going to keep up with the work, so that I can get off the Thyroid meds and cholesterol meds. I can't wait!!!

Plugging along here. I started eating foods I tend to eat too much of, and have to simplify my menu again. Like cheese, a killer for me. Used to grate it and freeze it, taking out what I needed. That helped.

Aphil - I've been wondering where you were. The photo was fab , and what gorgeous fabric!

Holly - happy to be seeing your posts
Ellen - you have great energy, yes, we just have to keep on
Amie - I know you're there

I'm fairly new to the boards. I started my calorie counting this month and I've lost 4 pounds already. I have to say this is the BEST easiest way to lose weight. I can eat anything I want and still lose weight. Just watching the amount of what it is I'm eating and how many calories are in it.

It seems the less I eat the more delicious everything tastes. I ate a white chocolate lindt truffle today....Just 1 and it was soooo good. Ushally I'd eat like the whole bag and then feel crappy. But just that one truffle was soooo good. I ate it all slow to enjoy it and I don't feel guilty at all.

Also I bought a little journal to track everything I eat and all the nutrition stuff. With out that I'd be completly lost. Good luck to everyone! I look forward to posting throughout my weightloss journey.

Chrissy

Hi Kindred, hope we keep hearing from you. This is a great group.

Evening all! So far this weekend I have not done bad at all. I am actually a little excited! I had two people at work say they thought I looked good. One is a lady Iwork with and she knew that I was trying to lose weight, but the other was one of our patients, and she did not know.

I know I can see a small difference, but maybe it is bigger than I thought!

Good Monday to you all,

I had a nice weekend. Got out and did some walking and ate well. I am healing well and am thinking of adding some weights back this week. I can not believe I am going into my 6th week post op already! I took some more photos and my scar is looking great. I still am in shock that I have a waist and flat tummy!

Hi to the newbies... Welcome!

Aphil~ Great picture. Green is your color..... How are you feeling.

Holly~ All my DH is talking about is bike week! He is so excited. This will be our first. Did you have a good weekend...?

Every sounds like they are doing well. It is going into late March, Spring is here and now the count down to shorts and bathing suits! We have to kick it into high gear now...... LOL

Have a great week,

Amie

Nat a bad finish to the weekend! It was pretty nice here (40's) so DH called my dad and we all went out and played some baseball!! I had a couple of nice hits. I did miss quite a few, before it though. Today is the first day of spring and it is very cold. we only made it up to the 30's today and outside of a quick trip to the gym, we stayed inside. I need to make a new resolution with myself to get to bed earlier on Sunday nights. I always intend to, but then I end up just doing something that keeps me up until midnight. I don't have this problem during the week, just on Sunday. Will just have to find my willpower and make myself get into bed.

Well, the natives are getting restless, so I have to apease them. Later chicas

Hi

Well I worked out last night after only getting 4 hours of sleep the night before so I am proud of my self! It is so hard to get your self to go do it but after it sure feels good.

I am going to try to attach a new picture for any of you that are interested. It was taken about 5 weeks after my surgery so I still have some swelling in the lower tummy. They say it takes 3 months for the swelling to go down.

hope everyone is OP this week! I am battling the munchies and trying to get my energy and work outs back up to pre surgery. NOT easy! I know I am ready for some warm sun! It has been cold and rainy down here in the Carolinas?

Amie

Aphil!!!! what an incredible picture!!! first, for your flexibility...then for your gorgeousness/sexiness!!! That should be a pic to save to show to your grandchildren - 'whoa, Gramma, you were hot!'

amie, so glad you are feeling strong enough to start with weights! Myrtle Beach bike week still seems so far away, 'cause of all our snow and cold temps...but I also know we leave in 7 weeks. In that time, I would like to be down at least 5 pounds, have a tanning bed tan, and highlighted or lightened hair what do you think?

Hi Lisi, and upswife! and welcome Chrissy.

I work Saturdays and Sundays, so they're just regular working days to me. It surely is getting to the end of the skiing season, as I have had it up to HERE with jerky tourists. I was feeling a little run down, and then woke up Sunday with NO voice! and I still had to work Sunday and Monday, with inconsiderate people asking me to repeat myself! grrrr. After 2 days of rest, I feel alot better, and my voice is almost back to normal.

have a good night!

Hi,

Holly~you will fit right in down here with the highlites and tanning bed tan. I will have one myself due to my pasty white skin that takes forever to tan! LOL
I do not go much twice in 12 years but I have to see what my new tummy looks like tan....... LOL

I am trying to post a picture but can not get the icons here to work??? Anyone have this problem? My smilies and paper clip are just dead?

Did a treadmill walk last night ate well but still fighting the munchies! Maybe this recent cold weather and rain???

Tomorrow is Friday!!!!

Amie