Megan, I'm so happy for you! You go, girl! Yes, you will keep this up tomorrow, because we are all rooting for you. Seriously! :cheer2:

Mainecyn, congrats on winning the first time around. What an accomplishment! :bravo:

Going to bed now. :wave:

Just checking in before work reading everyones accomplishments to get myself jazzed for the day. I didn't binge but I did end up eating before bed, nuts and sf pudding but considering what it could be its a win.

Good morning ladies, everyone is doing so well! YAY!

I am preparing to leave at 4 am tomorrow for a week in Maine. I'm hoping that I'll be able to check in via my phone, but I may be on the quiet side until I get back, but I'll be thinking of how well everyone is doing and using that as inspiration for me to stay on plan while there!

My husband and I have generally in the past had terrible food habits while on vacation -- food is always a major highlight of every trip (Italy was a real doozy, let me tell ya!) -- so for me it is going to be hard to make good, healthy choices meal after meal in the face of his... food exuberance. Eating out is harder than eating at home, I swear when I open a menu my eyes go directly to french fries and do not pass GO and do not collect $100.

My challenge to myself for this vacation is two parts: 1: ORDER SALADS, period, no debate, decision made, every time we go to a restaurant you ARE ordering a salad Mrs. Snark, and that's that.

And 2: don't whine, complain, kvetch, and otherwise suck the joy out of the meal for my husband while I'm eating said salad. This is my choice, and if I'm not smiling on the inside I *WILL* fake it and smile on the outside for his sake.

One minute I think I'm *totally* up for the challenge of doing this, the next minute my resolve feels a little more shaky.

Good Morning, Everyone!

Today is another great day! We are so lucky to be alive! We're all going to do well today. We're here to take care of our bodies, and do great things. My meal plan is set for the day, I'm going to exercise and I will do something nice for myself. How about you?

I'm so proud of all of you for trying so hard. And I am trying hard, too. We can do this together! :)

Mrs.Snark, I have faith in you that you will continue to do well on vacation. I love your plan of eating salads and smiling. We're all going to be thinking of you, and will be anxiously waiting for the good news that your vacation was not a problem with food. Remember, you're one of our top role models! We need this to go well, too. :) :hug: :hug:

For me, it's been a month and almost 2 weeks of perseverance. We can do this together. :)

Good morning all!

I woke up feeling strong and in control this morning! I am entering my 7th day today and am feeling super proud of myself for making it this far! I haven't had a week of being in control of how much or what I ate since last year!! I fell asleep last night before I posted which was a very pleasant surprise for me because usually I feel so overwhlemed with cravings and the whole mental struggle of trying not eat that I am up half the night tossing and turning. Not this time! I use my tools to comfort myself and control my thoughts! I also remind myself that feelings and cravings will rise and fall I just need to stay calm.

I really would like to thank everyone that has encouraged me over the past week. It has helped me tremendously! And to everyone that has posted on this thread thanks for sharing your story and struggles it has helped me to feel less alone in my battle with my food issue.

MAK, Congratulations on making it to day 7! That's a big deal! I'm so glad you've joined this thread. We're going to make things happen together! :hug:

I did well today. My calories totaled about 1400. The weather is changing, and so are the foods for colder weather. Thank God I love oatmeal, because I seem to like that for breakfast and lunch sometimes.

Let's keep working at this. Tomorrow is the 10th of the month, and we're doing great! :carrot:

I am happy to report that I have made it through my 7th day following a very strict food plan without any overeating!I had a few temptations today but they were not overwhelming.

I am going to have lunch with a friend and dinner with my husband at a restaurant over the weekend. I am a bit nervous about how it will go and not sure about how exactly to plan for it. I would appreciate any advice on strategies for eating out and staying on plan. I was thinking I might try having a snack before I go and ordering salads.

It is wonderful to see everyone doing so well! :broc:

I had a really good day today. Yesterday I felt so hungry all day, I was really white-knuckling it. Today was totally different. I felt just plain good, maybe because I had a better night's sleep, who knows? Strangely though, I am grinding my teeth like mad. It's a bad habit of mine, but I can remember only one other terribly stressful time in my life when it was this bad, so that my whole jaw ached. I really don't consciously feel *that* stressed out right now. Maybe I should try some yoga or meditating. I had a great run today but that didn't help.

Mrs Snark, I loved the body-weight circuit. I did it again yesterday, three times through. Re: crunches, funny you mention it -- I don't do jumping jacks due to a couple injuries, so I did standing crunches instead. I'm going away this weekend and I'll have to rope my traveling companions into doing a body-weight workout in the hotel room. :) Best of luck on your trip -- we will be rooting for you!

And Tyla, thank you for starting this thread and for being such a wonderful source of positive energy and encouragement!

Mak78, our posts came at the same time. For eating out, I always like to look up the menu online, just to get an idea of what they're offering. I love seafood and that is often a healthful choice. I try to eat lightly for the other meals of the day but not so much that I arrive at the restaurant absolutely starving and ready to inhale the bread basket. Just lighter choices for the other meals and maybe skip snack. HTH and hope all goes well -- you can do it!

Yay for Mak! Day 8! Keep going. You can do it. Like 7 lbs. does, I also check menus of the restaurant online. It gives me an idea of what to get beforehand, when I'm not so hungry. I can check for calories under Google, too. I like to go in feeling pretty secure. If nothing else, I just eat half. (I like to take the rest home for dinner, if I'm eating lunch.) It's always a good idea to leave a morsel or so on your plate to show yourself that you have control.

Hi 7lbs! So glad you're feeling better than yesterday. About the grinding, is something coming up or some kind of event that is bothering you? Usually, when we're anxious, we're thinking about future events. Just a thought. In any event, I'm so glad you are here. I appreciate all of your words of wisdom.

Also, thank you for your kind words. I really needed to hear them today, and they are truly appreciated! :hug:

As for me, I am truly working at this, too, but not seeing a weight loss since last week. I am, however, wearing a smaller pairs of pants. I'm so excited about Autumn. I started putting Halloween decorations up around the house last night. I'm trying to make it look homier and warmer. Even had classical music playing when my hubby came home from work. Tonight I'll light the fire in the fireplace. :flame: :witch:

Ok so I discovered a trigger yesterday. My trigger is: I have to control my activities and energy, if life happens and gets in the way and changes my environment and/or routine, that causes enough stress to trigger binge-desires.

I had a mini tiny miniature binge yesterday, what describes it as such is the need to numb my feelings and medicate myself, also the speed of my eating. But in terms of quantity of food, very very tiny binge.

Anyway, what happened was, life kept throwing curves and emotions my way. First I could not get out of work at my regular time, I had to stay to entertain this negative person, which of course means my routine is shot. I couldn't eat at my time, so I ate an hour later and less than my usual meal. I eat the same thing each and every single day, by the way, I need it like that. Anyhow, then I had an anniversary party, and of course I couldn't eat my regular dinner, I ate something else before the party and had nothing to eat during the party. Also, my emotions go crazy when around people. Finally, I found out my uncle passed, and that of course changed everything again.

By the time I got home I was so tired and I actually could not remember why I was supposed to be binge-free. Of course I knew I was doing it, but I couldn't remember why or its importance. Completely forgot even my mantras. So I "kinda" binged.

Today with my stomach hurting I completely remember why I am on this binge-free path, but I also have very clear how I forgot last night. It was just too much, too much stress and changes in routine, that made me nervous enough to want to binge.

Lastly I want to say that I had managed to be binge-free for some days reminding myself that I am not a 4 year old and that I can say no. Last night I didn't remember at all, not even that I had that phrase. I think the phrase works when the binge is crave-induced, when my body is addicted to the sugar and the rush and jumps at the sight of candy. But when the binge or trigger is emotionally induced, it doesn't work that well. Obviously. :dizzy:

Anyway thanks for listening.

GGBYS, I am sorry you had such a horrible day yesterday. You sound just like I do. It seems like you were doing well and would continue to do well if it hadn't been for so many triggers yesterday..But, keep in mind you didn't have what you call a full blown binge. Be proud of yourself.

My day, yesterday, was much of the same..I did great at work, and during lunch, then came home and started eating, it wasn't anything majorly bad, but I snacked on several things so I decided to skip dinner to make up for all the extra calories :devil: I didn't eat sugar, flour etc, but I didn't do what I planned on doing, I ate more than I planned. I had a long day at work and running errands on my break, and the added stresser of my Mum being in the hospital. It never seems to be just one event that would set me over the edge, its always a combination of things like my own personal "perfect storm".

I hope we all have a good day today. I keep trying, all I can do. I stepped on the scale this morning and it hadn't moved up, OR DOWN. But, not gaining is something.:dizzy:

I'm so sorry that you have both undergone a series of stresses. I know what you're talking about, because I too, feel like I'm hanging by a thread. But I keep reminding myself, that I just can't afford to blow it right now. I've gained 10 lbs. from last year, and I just can't seem to lose it. (That's all because I allowed myself to have binges, and couldn't stop.) Each time was harder than the next to get back to normal eating. I feel so bad for letting this happen to my body and mind. I mean truly sad about it. And I feel pathetic. Can't fit into my clothes, and I'm not going to buy new ones. Plus I think everyone is looking at me and commenting to themselves. And now that I finally have my eating under control, I desperately want to keep it in check. And believe me, it's hard.

gg and cyn, It's a new time for a fresh start. Make this happen this very minute. Come, let's get going together. It feels so much better when we do the right thing. I'm sending us all good wishes to keep going. We can still turn things around in this great month of October. Lots of hugs to both of you. We're in this together. :hug: :hug: :hug: :dust:

I'm proud to say, that even though this was a tough day, I made it through another tough one. Woo Hoo! :woohoo: And now the kitchen is closed. So, that makes 40 days down and on to day 41! :yay:

Have a great night, everyone. Tomorrow is Friday! TGIF!

I ate out today and it wasn't what I intended to do for dinner ,but with a little last minute preplanning in the car before I got to the restaurant I was able to get through it without going over my calories! This is such a big accomplishment for me!

Now it's the start of my 2nd week , and I am feeling really good about having made it through the first week. I am hopeful that in the next few weeks I will be able to start to notice some weightloss and feel more comfortable in my clothes!

Thanks 7lbs and tyla for your suggestions! They were very helpful. :)

Mak78- those times are my favorites- when I indulge healthily and don't go crazy, and can feel good about it :)
I hope I can feel that way a lot with my parents visiting me this weekend

Yesterday didn't go so well. I had breakfast up at the dining hall, and when I got home after a few hours of dishwashing for some money, I just ate peanut butter crackers and jelly until the jar ran out (it was mostly empty, thanfully), then, despite not being hungry at all, two giant bowls of chili with bread (made me feel so sick it was such a heavy and large meal). I didn't eat for several hours, and had a healthy snack of cucumber slices and hummus. Then I made a pumpkin pie... which could have been much worse. I wasn't awful with that pie.
I'm disappointed that I binged, but I'm happy it was a mild binge.
I also got my period today, so that could explain why I wanted the extra food.

Today is Day 1 once again though. I had a piece of pie for breakfast, and stopped at that :)

Wow tyla that is amazing!!! 40 days!!! That is a record!!! Congrats, veeery good work!!!

mainecyn, yes, we sound very much alike. Personal perfect storm is the very precise and accurate way of describing it.

As for me I am doing great. I obviously had physical cravings yesterday, but managed to handle them. Aside from a stomach ache, I am perfect!

Mak that is amazing, good for you, I wish I could do that!!!

Megan I go so crazy during my period too!!! Quite normal I guess.

Happy friday!!!

Managed to avoid a binge today, mainly because I skipped breakfast so my afternoon snack didn't make my calories skyrocket. I've started getting too hungry at around 4 or 5 pm. I need to figure out how to stop that.

TGIF!! I'm so happy the weekend is here. I'm feeling strong today, and I will exercise right after I post this. I'm so proud this is day 41! :carrot: I had oatmeal, banana and carrots for breakfast and will have oatmeal, almonds and yogurt for lunch. And tonight going to have steak with veggies! That should be around 1400 cals. I hope everyone has a great weekend! :cool:

Mak, I'm so happy for you! You're now into your second week!! :D Plus you did well at the restaurant last night. :carrot: You're on a roll now! I'm rooting for you to have the best weekend, too! :cheer3:

Megan, believe that you will eat right when your parents are here, and you will! I'm sending you good thoughts and wishes. Congrats on doing so well this morning. Keep up the great work! :dust:

gg, congrats on handling your cravings yesterday. That is a huge deal. Greeeaat job!! :bravo: Thank you for your compliment, too. And thanks for your words of encouragement to all of us. They are truly appreciated. :thanks:

ILoveVegetables, congrats on avoiding a binge. As we all know, it is easy! So, excellent work! As far as 3 or 4 pm, I've been eating 15 cut, baby carrots - only 35 calories. It takes a lot of chewing, and seems to stop my hunger pangs. Good luck to you! :congrat: :goodluck:

Thanks tyla and ggbsy! Day#9 has been an amazing day! I had a pre employment physical today ,and knew that they would be asking me to step on the scale. In the past I have felt so awful about myself and really ashamed everytime I had to be weighed in public, so rather I was up or down in weight it was always like a traumatic experience. Today I decided that I wasn't going to go through that any more! I told myself that I am more than my food issues and no matter what the scale says I have a lot to be proud of which is a big shift in perspective for me. I was all set to just accept whatever the number was and not let it discourage me if I had not lost any weight at all, I mean after all it has only been a week. I am not sure how but according to the scale I was on today I have lost 7lbs over the past week! I was really proud of myself for losing the weight and for embracing a healthier philosophy about the getting weighed and the scale in general. I also went to dinner with my husband tonight and planned my meal before going , so I knew exactly what I was getting and that it was within my calorie range. It took some real effort but I stayed within my calorie range and didn't get out of control. I left the restaurant feeling really good about myself instead completely stuffed and feeling sick. It was another real monumental accomplishment for me!

I hope I can stay strong over the weekend. I hope we all can.

Would have checked in sooner if i hadn't had my face buried in a bag of chips and been too busy slurping a McDonald's Frappe, add two packages of Reese's Big Cup peanut butter cups, a Halloween version of snickers candy bar, 3 donuts in the parking lot, 2 on the way home, and a small fry:o and you can see I have been busy. In all honesty the sad thing is I don't know if it could even qualify as a "binge" for me as it is smaller than others. Again, I ate in my car, eating donuts in the parking lot before I left the store,

I knew I had an issue this morning when I had to get up to take my daughter to school early for a trip..I had already decided i was going to go get donuts.:mad: Its been bad day for me. I hate doing this, I remember looking at myself this morning and said that I have to do something about my stomach, its getting bigger, rolls are coming back, the 20 lbs I've gained are going to be 35 at this point if I don't figure out how to stop. I have tried everything I can think of these past 6 months, the eating just doesn't stop, meds, exercise, self help, groups, I dont' know. :?: I always have great intentions, yet it brings me back to where I was before, depressed, sick to my stomach, hating myself, my life, my actions, everything:nono:.

Mak, congratulations on making it to 9! Was that yesterday? So now it's day 10?!!!!!! Whatever, congrats for doing so well. Keep up the great work. Have a very happy weekend. :congrat: :dust:

cyn, Start over. The past is the past. Move on to day #1. The idea is to not quit. I know you can do it. I understand how hard it is sometimes. Getting back takes real discipline. I'm on your side, and praying that you don't have any more temptations. Remember, we're all in this together. :) :hug: :dust: Take a walk. Just moving will give you more strength.

I made it another day. Weekends are always hard, but I tried to keep myself busy. We just had dinner, and now my husband and I will walk in the mall. Have a great evening! :wave:

Mak, I forgot to congratulate you on losing 7lbs.!!! That's awesome and amazing!!! :bravo: :dancer:

I think I need to change my time zone for time stamping my post because it technically was still my 9th day when I posted late last night but according to the time stamp it was after mid night so it was the beginning of my 10th day. Thanks for pointing that out tyla.

I am sort of confused about about how to feel about today. I saved a lot of my calories to go out and have Mexican food tonight which is one of my faves. It's a local small place so the menus not online. I ate half of my plate but way too many chips ,and I know can't control how many chips I eat so I should not eat them. I also drank regular soda and even though I ate signifantly less than I would during my constant overeating days it was still too much. I thought well it has only been a week how much my stomach can hold shouldn't have changed but that was not the case at all. I ended feeling sick and miserable after.

I feel like in some ways it was not an on plan day so that's not really great but in other ways I feel proud of myself that I didn't eat half as much as I did in the past ,and I learned that my stomach is not going to deal well with trying to put to much food into it after regularly following a low calorie food plan. And I am not really feeling discouraged because I also feel like I learned other important things today!

1.) I should limit eating meals out to once or twice a month because that's what is manageable for me right now. Going out to eat to many times over the weekend just increases my odds of wavering in my commitment to my food plan.

2.) Make sure that I don't ever even let the waiter put the chips and salsa out on our table at all because I don't need to not have even one chip.

3.) I don't have to be perfect on this journey. I just have to stay committed to learning about how I can help myself to best manage my food issues, so I just have to keep making progress one day at a time! Sometimes that means learning from the days that things didn't workout so well!

4.) I survived an off plan meal! All my hard work is not down the drain! I am not a failure or a loser. I am human. And I am learning what will and will not work for me which is totally ok! :-)

Mak, you're doing a totally awesome job. You've learned a lot about yourself in a little over a week. That's amazing!! Don't put too much thought in how you've done or how better you could have done. Focus on how great you're going to do and feel today. Remember, we're taking it one day at a time. Each day is different with new challenges. How we handle each day is up to us. You're doing a fantastic job!! And you're changing your old behavior! I'm so happy for you!! Keep up the great work!! Lots of hugs to you today. :hug: :hug: :hug: We're in this together. :)

Thanks for the reminder tyla! I really needed it because if I am not careful I get caught up in never being satisfied with myself and always critizing myself which has never been helpful. This weekend has been hit and miss with following my food plan ,and I am still proud of the efforts I make everyday to manage my food issues. Everyday is different and my best looks different from one day to the next. I have spent a lot of time learning about myself over the past few years this is the just first time I feel like I have really been able to make sense of all it so now my goal is to make the best use of it to improve the quality of my life.

Broke my streak by overeating during dinner today. My parents and I went to a pretty expensive place which had an amazing buffet. I mainly had a lot of prawns, sushi and sashimi, but definitely ate way more than I should have :(

Time to get back on the wagon. I've been taking too many cheat meals and need to stop.

Mak, I'm so happy that you're sticking with it, and learning a lot about yourself. It's easy to think what we're doing is not good enough. That's also a habit taught to us from someone. I do the same, and I'm trying desperately to change those thoughts. We have to realize we're doing the best we can. Can't be perfect all the time, but we can sure try to do the best we can. Losing 7lbs. is awesome!!!! Keep up the great work, and the next thing you know, it will be 10! Good luck to you!! :hug: :hug:

ILoveVegetables, eating sushi, prawns and sashimi is really good for you! You probably didn't do as bad as you thought. Just keep going. I don't think you broke anything. You're doing better than before. Focus on today, how you're going to do the best you can today. Good to have you posting again. All the best to you!! :goodluck: And remember, we're all in this together. :hug: :hug:

As for me, I had an a great weekend. Bought boots I've been wanting, and even though I said I was going to save them for Christmas, I wore them yesterday out to breakfast. I had scrambled eggs, an English muffin and coffee, and felt perfectly content. And I considered my boots to be a reward for staying within my range and exercising for several weeks. :)

Hi ladies,

Just a quick check-in. It has been 4 days since my last over eating episode. One day at a time, right?

I even managed to go out and stay within my calories. I went to an Italian restaurant, I ordered shrimp scampi over rice, had no wine etc. I did have half a glass of Spanish coffee, but that as well fell way into my calorie range.

So things are looking up over here :sunny:

Today is my 12th day without having a binge! I have not stayed on plan perfectly ,but I have not went to far over my calories or had any out of control food moments! It's a fantastic feeling to have made it this long. I was tempted to stop counting my days since I did eat off plan over the weekend, and then I decided against that because it felt like I would not have been honoring my efforts which would have made me feel like I failed and sabatoged my progress. I so want to be honest with myself and have some accountability. I think I am staying true to those values because I don't feel guilty about looking at my progress that way, so I hope I am doing the right thing. It feels like I am and today went really well. I stayed on plan and with only a little mental struggle about food choices as I was planning meals this morning.

I'm continuing to try not to focus on the future and just keep taking things one day at a time because there really is something so powerful about that. It's keeping me sane and every day it gives me hope because I just have make it through this one day. I hope everyone has a great week! Big Hugs to anyone that has been struggling. And kudos to everyone that has been going strong one day at a time! :-)

Hello, everyone! Sorry I went MIA. I was in New Orleans for the long weekend. Talk about a city that celebrates overindulgence (or at least a tourism industry that promotes it). My plan for the weekend was to share desserts and stop eating when full. I did well on both accounts and came home weighing the same as when I left! Which is strange, because just the richness and sodium of restaurant food, plus alcohol, should have showed up as a few days worth of bloat. But I won't look that gift horse in the mouth!

Mak, it sounds like you are learning a lot and gaining so much strength from it! Congratulations -- it is wonderful to read about how great you feel!

Ilovevegetables, much better to overeat seafood than cheesecake. ;) Like you said, back on the wagon. You can do it!

Tyla, the boots are a perfect reward for a job well done! Wear them with pride!

Sum38, it sounds like you are back in a good place. I truly believe that getting back on the wagon quickly and cleanly is the best skill we can learn!

Mainecyn, :hug: I can't remember if you've said that you've tried one-on-one therapy. We are here to support you 100%, but it sounds like you might benefit from guidance from a professional experienced in eating disorders. :hug: (I don't mean to single you out -- I'm sure we could all benefit from that, but it sounds like you're in a low place and I am sad for you!)

Good Morning, Everyone!:cool:

It's another great day and another fresh start. Let's take advantage of every opportunity to do the best we can. I'm so happy to see so many people on the board today!

Sum, so glad that you're back here with us. And taking it one day at a time is right on point. Congrats on going to an Italian restaurant and staying within your calorie range. That's not always easy to do. Kudos to you! :bravo:

Mak, that is so fantastic that you're on day 12 now!! :woohoo: I agree with you, that it is best not to analyze too much. That's when we sabotage. Just focus on every day's new journey of eating within your range and exercising. Make that a habit. And just keep going. One day at a time. :)

7lbs.! It 's so good to see you here!! :carrot: Wow, you went to New Orleans?!! So glad you had a great time, shared desserts and came back weighing the same. Wow, that's amazing!! :cp:

I'm trying my best to do the right thing, but that darn scale won't budge. Gotta move more, I guess. And also have to have patience. I just have to focus on taking it one day at a time and doing the best I can. I went to the library and got the Zumba DVD's and started working out to them yesterday, but they aren't as fun as my class. :lol: Tonight is my class, and I'm so looking forward to that. Have a great day, everyone! :)

Day 13! I made it through another day staying on my food plan. And I started exercising today! I feel like posting everyday has really helped me with the accountability aspect that I need to keep myself honest. Also the support I have received has become such an important part of my journey.

tyla, thanks for all the encouragemt it has really made a difference in my recovery experience! I am sure your patience will pay off and the scale will start moving in the right direction. :-)

Mak, wow, another day on the food plan is so great to hear! What exercise did you do? I agree with you, that posting everyday does help us to be more accountable. I'm so glad this thread is helping you achieve your goals. It's certainly helping me. Keep up the great work! I really want you to succeed! (And you will!) :dust: :hug: :hug: :hug:

As for me, I really pushed myself with Zumba last night, and I had a great time! Plus I walked briskly for 30 minutes at lunchtime. I really want to get this weight off. It's all about being consistent, and taking it one day at a time. :)

Is it too late for me to join?! Can I finish off the month with everyone? I already kind of binged for breakfast, but I'm stopping right now. My biggest issues are dealing with stress and night eating, but food isn't the answer to those problems!

I've done it before and I will do it again! You guys are the best!! I will check in tomorrow to tell everyone how I've fared through the night! :D

-Hasta luego!

Welcome, Chaselove! I'm so glad you're joining us. All of us here know all about stress, overeating and bingeing. So you're in the right place. We've decided we're going to stop this habit (because that's what it is), taking it one day at a time. We're not striving for perfection, but we do want to change these habits. You've got to replace overeating for some other activity that you like. You'll learn what we mean as you keep posting.

I'm so happy that you stopped overeating after breakfast. Good luck for the rest of the day, and keep us posted on how you did. Like Mak said, it really helps to post daily to keep you accountable. Best of luck to you!! We're waiting for good news. :) :goodluck: :hug: :hug:

Good morning!
Tyla, I actually did a walking DVD at home and some exercises with my kettle bell. I have a history of over doing it when I am in one of my phases of punishing myself. I think I finally learned my lesson with that after dealing with a pretty bad case of tendinitis in my right shoulder and elbow joints for the past couple months. It's better now thank God!
So this time around I am breaking another part of my cycle by starting out slowly and only doing things that I can do at this point. I have also decided to chose things I enjoy rather forcing myself to do exercises I hate. It seems to be helping me feel better about moving more and less like I am torturing myself. :-)

Mak, Are you doing Walking Off the Pounds? I do that one, too. It's easy and Leslie Sansone is great! Congrats on doing the kettle balls, too. Sorry about your tendinitis. I agree with you about having more fun with exercise. When I do hard ones, I tend to lose interest fast. Right now Zumba, walking and some Pilates are good enough for me. :) Keep up the great work! :bravo: