Hello Ladies,

I know I was AWOL....and I am sorry. I have been very dedicated to this forum since whenever I joined 3FC - I guess January?? Anyway I haven't been on here since 5/6 according to the login, and am so glad to see everyone doing so well. Congratulations on all of the weight loss!!!!!! I went down to Orlando to help my mother out, she is 84, as she had knee surgery. My father was there, but he is 86 and not in the best of health, so they needed some help for a few days. I didn't have my computer with me so I was out of the loop on many things. When I got back, last week, it took me a while to get caught up, because my husband got the flu - yes, I thought it was Pig Flu for a couple of days, but it wasn't. Thank God for my Zoe, I took to nutritionals a day, which kept me from getting it. He is better now, and back to his ol' self.

So, I have been doing good on being healthy, and am track on for my June 1st interium goal, as long as I can get my workouts in. This rain is hampering those efforts!!! I almost ready to build an ARK! I went walking this morning and got back home drenched. I literally stripped off my clothes outside before coming in the house. LOL, Lord I hope the neighbors weren't looking! LOL......Anyway, I did order Jillians Book, Master Your Metabolism, as I know much of weight gain and loss is hormonal. I have heard her, and others speak on this subject for years, so I was excited about reading her book and seeing what she offers on balancing your hormones and also reducing your fat hormones. Any else purchase this book?

Well, I will check in later or tomorrow, depending on what I get done today.

Woot-woot!!! YAY MYGRITS!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!
Sorry to hear about your mom and hubby, Im glad to hear things are doing better with them and even more so, you! Good job on getting closer and closer to your goal, I cant wait till you can weigh in and record your weight. Ok, so I had to run an errand during lunch and didnt have time to get any food, so here I am - starving, with no opportunity to get food, nonetheless, something healthy. Grrr. I might have one of my co-workers bring me back something, idk.

Ill check in later, I just had to give a big woot-woot for Mygrits. We missed you!

Kelly-sorry if anything I said also offended you, it was not meant that way. I just dont want to lose any of our group. All of you are wonderful and I do consider you friends and I want us all to succeed together. I know you have a lot on your plate right now and I hope things get better for you and again I am sorry.

Lindy-Jillian is killer, I am gonna get back to it today. I have exactly 2 weeks until vacation. I would love to lose 5 lbs, but I'll take any number. I am so glad its not raining here like it is there, I have flowers to plant today and more raking.

Mygrits-glad you are back. Hope your mom(and dad) are doing well. Flu-ugh, so glad no one around here has been sick. I want to be "healthy" for my trip. Good job staying healthy while you have been so busy. Let us know how Jillians book is, I am a reader so I may have to pick it up.

Nothing fun or exciting going on here today, just yard work and trying to get my house clean. I'll check in later.

hi girls: So sorry I have not been on here. I have alot of reading to catch up on, I skimmed a little......
Lindy: That's great that you got 30ds. It is still kicking my butt.
Burgandy: I failed at the no drinking. I am trying to at least cut back for now. I am trying to cut down on pop as well and still have urges here and there about smoking and I think it's just too much at one time. Overall I am just trying my very best.

I skipped jillian on saturday I started the kickball on sunday, well practice on saturday. 2 hours that was one **** of a workout for me, my legs hurt soo badly I felt like I hand to manually pick them up just to walk!! I am ok now and back on track. I am drinking slimfast for breakfst since I hate eating breakfast and going to finish the week trying that out. I have only been able to keep 3 -4 pound off I haven't changed it to show 176 since it keeps going back and forth. I am loosing inches though, at least me clothes have me believing that. Alot of pants that I wear now I need a belt or am constantly pulling them up. I will take what I can right now though. I am really excited to see the end results after jillian.

Lindy: Is calorie counting hard. How do you know your calorie count for the day? Oh...... I think Kelly posted that I should go back and try to figure that out. I am jealous of your 3 pound a week loss it's better than trying my way at 2 pounds per week!!!

My internet is out of wack at home I am sorry I was not on here, I am only working tuesday thru friday at this job and unable to go online at evening job. I am trying!! And I am still trying to shred w jillian!!!

Burgundy - I never thought id say this but I am so jealous that you are actually able to do yard work. We have some sort of tropical depression off the coast so it looks like we have another week ahead of us of rain...rain...rain.

Kity - um calorie cycling is great. It much easier than counting the same calories every day and I'm NEVER hungry, which is nice. If you go to freedieting.com, you can input your info based on your current weight, height, activity level and it will generate your calorie cycle, one is for slow weight loss which is like 1.5 pounds a week and the other is for extreme weight loss of 3 pounds a week. If I accidentally slip up and have a binge day, I just switch my high calorie day and make sure I stick to the propgram the rest of the week.

Ok, for lunch I had a footlong chicken tender sub, which was 700 calories, its really not that bad though because I had a really light breakfast and snack (I just wasn't hungry), then I ate my big lunch. I'm planning a light snack of an apple around 4, then mushrooms and chicken for dinner, which will keep me on track for my 1300 calories today, so I'm good. My binge day is Friday this week, I'm going to Ale House for dinner.

Thanks Lindy I will check into it and see what it's about.

5 dolla foot long!! Sorry had to say it!! LOL

Hi all,

Have a chance to check in during lunch and really wanted to despite my nutso day. Kelly - sorry to hear about your rough time, I can relate somewhat. But you sound like a really strong person and I am sure it will get better and/or you will find a way to get through it (I know easier said than done).

Well I got up this morning had a great workout, sat in the middle of a table to wish happy birthday to a coworker with 20 others eating ice cream, cake and omg - apple crisp. I did not have anything. And I made myself sit there as long as possible. I hate though how awkward it feels when people are like- why aren't you having any. I said today I am on a restricted diet and someone asked me how long and I said till I'm skinny. That got a good laugh. Good thing it isn't often this happens, although in the past month it sure seems to be a lot.

Tonight I am taking intro to yoga. I am hoping it will help me muscle tension and hamstring issues which is also related to my lower back problems. I'm super tired, I hardly slept last night but I will make it through today I am sure I will fall asleep pretty quick tonight after two workouts!

So far I've had to eat: Protein Shake (300 cal), Banana (100 cal), Chicken and Rice (300 cal), Jello (5 cal) - for a total of 705. I am on 1500 - 60% protein and 40% carbs. I am going to try and incorporate less carbs like bread, rice and potatoes and focus more on veggies and fruit for my carb intake. That worked really well for me last time.

I hope you all are having a great day. I'm in meetings now for the rest of the day so I will check in tonight.

Tiff - great to have to you back

Hey Just checking in really quick before I go to sleep. Worked today and again tomorrow. I ate at work today. 1/2 a turkey sandwich on wheat with veggies only. I drank plenty of water too. I have been trying to cut out the pop. Slowly but surely... I don't think I'll ever stop completely but I know I can cut down a lot. I'm addicted.. what can I say. I'm getting ready to eat some ground turkey tacos. Then go to sleep. I haven't worked out in the past few days. Hoping to go on thursday and friday (my off days).

I'm glad to see people chatting away again. YAY!! Glad to have you all back. Here's to a future "maintainers" group! Oh.. by the way.. I'm sure we'll have to start a new thread here soon... We'll see

I'll touch base tomorrow.

I am sorry. It appears I took the postings the wrong way, and I am sorry. I can not stress enough how bad last week was.

I don't have time at the moment to read all the posts or how everyone is doing, but I intend to when I get home tonight since I should be able to just go home.

BTW... I am on vacation next week (b-day on the 30th ), so I WILL be posting every day!

Again, I apologize.

Kity - lol, I am seriously lovin those "5 dolla footlongs", haha

Stacie - YAY, kudos to resisting temptation!!! How was yoga? I have done yoga at home a couple times but I would love to take a class at my gym that shows me the "proper" way to do it.

Neesy - good job on the water intake! Baby steps, you'll get there slowly and surely. When I was working with the trainer, they had gave me several pointers on different things and one of the things was to cut out soda all together. Fortunately, I had already done that back in January but she was like "thats probably where most of your weight loss came from" - HA!!! I wanted to laugh, I was like - "you mean, killing myself at the gym for 45 minutes, 6 days a week, taking a 1.5 mile walk 5 days a week and cutting my caloric intake drastically didnt have any affects?!" lol, riiiigggghhhhttt.....sure. I really screwed up this past weekend with soda. I guess I was really craving it because I downed 7 Pepsi in one day....which goes into my next question/story.

I am REALLY hoping that TOM is here and I am just ridiculously bloated because I hopped on the scale today and weighed 200 again!!! What the flip?! Grrrr.....now, I tried to back track and see how the **** I could have put on 6 pounds in 3 freakin days and this is what I came up with:

I MAJORLY binge ate on Sunday, BIG TIME, ok, make a pound or two
Then I did a 1500 calorie day on Monday, and a 1300 calorie day yesterday (maybe 1400 with some condiments, idk). Anyway, I skipped the gym on Tuesday all together but I incorporated Jillians 30DS as of Monday. I have not been able to walk on Tuesday or Today because it has not stopped raining AT ALL. So, slightly less activity, but my calorie range is still roughly on par. So what gives?! I am REALLY crampy, but still, 6 pounds, that seems like an awful lot! Ugh. I am going to keep on with my program because frankly, there is NOTHING I can do but keep on truckin, Im just truely baffled....PLEASE let this be TOM. I was hoping to be at 190 by Sunday, boy oh boy is that doubtful.

Sorry for going off on my tangent. I just had to get that out.

Kelly - PLEASE, do not feel the need to apologize, Im happy to here you have some vaca time coming to you. Maybe it will help to take some "you" time" and clear your head. Things arent going to change overnight but small steps lead to big results. Take care!

Hey girls Happy Wednesday!!
Lindy: I looked into that calorie counting (zig zagging is what they called it?) I am supposed to average 1400 per day, I am going to try it for a week starting today and see what I think of it. Thanks for the tip.

Overall, I'd rather try to maintain the 1400 per day and then go into the shifting (zig zagging) the calorie intake. I am going to cut back on pop. I at least have switched to just diet pop, however, I am only going to allow myself to have pop the late nights that I work (to stay awake) Mon/Wed/Fri. So that should not be that bad, at the most 3 pops a week.

I know that lean cuisine and other frozen meals are high in sodium is there better ones than others? I would like to start bringing my lunch more often instead of running to get lunch.......I always say oh I will get salad then end up with something else and starve the rest of the day or with lots of regular dressing. So I am back to planning ahead.

I did jillian last night my legs are getting so much better along with my panting!! It's still a damn good work out!! LOL

LOL, thank you for the well wishes to me and my mom Lindy and Burgund. It is so nice to know there are friends out there who do care. Burgund also thank you for hooking up with me on Facebook - just another way to help the friendship grow!

Well, there is much going on here with calories flipping and Jillian workouts - lots of counting and sweating I guess - cursing too I suppose? LOL...... Oh the things we do to ourselves........lol

Well, I don't know about flipping calories, but I was still sticking to the only eating when my stomach growls and am still doing well with healthy foods (not wanting to punish myself with crap anymore) and losing some weight. I started my weight loss at 270 a lonnnng time ago, and then settled. I started back on my weight loss seriously with much soul searching on 3/30 and am down 7 pounds. It's not a huge amount, but it is with a healthy approach and not killing myself with working out daily. Of course I am on Tom (I hate him) so it may be a pound or two more. I do exercise M, W, and F and on alternate days I may go swimming, or do something else that is fun and active. So, now I did start calorie counting Monday of this week, to keep track of what I am taking in, but I still only eat when my stomach is seriously yelling at me and just eating healthy foods that are good for me. No processed crap, or should I say chemical crap made in a lab, and NOOOO fast foods. Did you read online MSNBC I think, what is in the meats, chicken and other fast foods? Oh my god, its enough to seriously freak you out. All kinds of fillers, MSG, Nitrates, chemicals, tons of sodium and much much more. No wonder I weighed 270, because I lived on fast foods years back. UGH! Anyway, I am anxious for Jillians new book to get here (tomorrow) as she writes about the chemicals in the home, and foods that cause our fat gene to make it extremely hard to lose weight. She writes how weight is all hormonal and there are 3 things we can do to reverse it and balance it. So we will see!

Ok, I rambled, sorry. Lindy very impressed with you 194! The 200 today is probably water from Tom paying a visit, as you can gain even a week before he arrives. Burgund, congrates to your 216!! You are two pounds a head of me!!!

Have a great day everyone - still rain here - I am serious about starting an ARK! This is day four of non-stop rain!!!

Mygrits - lol, yes, lots of cursing. Haha. I wish I had the power to eat just when I feel hungry because I swear I dont know any better. I feel hungry 90% of the time (well, maybe not 90% - but a lot). More power to you for sure, Im jealous!

Here's an update on my food.

Carnation Instant Breakfast at 5 AM (I woke up hungry) - 220 calories
2 slices of rye toast - 110 calories
2 egg whites - 60 calories
Frosted mini wheats (blueberry) with 1/2 cup of skim milk - 200 calories
1 cup of chicken soup with 1 skinless chicken leg and 1 small white potato (skinless) - 400 calories
1 apple - 80 calories
1 bag of snack size cheetos - 160 calories
Coffee - 70 calories

Thats 1300 calories already! I am supposed to stay at 1500 today but Im not sure what else I can eat to stay in that range and not be dying of hunger. Ill try to be good and do veggies and maybe some shrimp or something.

Anyway, Im kinda busy at work today and have a big task at hand, so Im kinda stressing about that and want to go and splurge but lets just assume that 6 pounds is not water weight (which Im sure not all of it is), I cannot afford to do that. Ahhhh....the urge to be thin.

Ill check in tonight!

Just a quick question......do you usually loose inches or pounds? Not at the same time or together?
I swear the scale won't move but I feel like my clothes are fitting a little better. I don't get it I want the scale to move!!!!!!!!!

Can you guys believe I am still dealing with trying to close on this house??? Now, we have another huge bump in the road. The loan I am getting requires a Septic and Well inspection. Well, I got word today that the septic system didn't pass. So now, I have to wait indefinitely to find out if the bank is willing to fix the septic system. We were supposed to close next Wednesday, after extending 3 weeks from May 6th. So either we are going to extend again...or the deal will fall through, and I will be out more money. I have already paid for over $1,000 in inspections on two houses and we were supposed to be moved out of our apartment as of May 1. This is not going well at all!

My eating has been decent. Definitely haven't been staying in the 1200 calorie range. Yesterday I ate the following:

1 Natures Valley Granola Bar (180)
Chik-fil-a chicken sandwich (400)
Small fry (200?)
Ice cream cone from mcdonalds (300?)
Large house salad at Outback (400?)
Bread (150)
Medium Reeces blizzard (600?)

Yeah, I ate ice cream twice in one day. Whatcha gonna do about it? Gotta get my calculator out for the total on that day cause it's so high. Total: 2230. Yuck. That's barely below my BMR and I didn't do any exercise.

Guess where I am going now...golden corral. For those of you who don't know what that is...good. I am going to be committing all sorts of food sins. Stress makes me thumb my nose at anything resembling good eating. I know I will regret it later. I thin that makes it worse, knowing that I will regret it and still do it.