Hi Ladies,

I hope everyone's weekend is going well!

Dance, momof2, burgundy-you all sound like you are getting great workouts from outside activites!

Dance: I'm glad you enjoyed Zumba, I might have to go and try that class now! I've been looking for new classes to try anyway, so this would be a good starting point. I'll be running tonight also- I'm going to aim for 2 miles (I honestly hate running, so this is a BIG step and effort for me, lol)

Momof2: It's true about the cute stuff! I went shopping for a gift for my cousins yesterday! The clothes they have for little girls are cuter and better looking than what they have for us grown up girls! :D Did you take the girls with you when you went? That sometimes can be a workout all in itself! ;)

Neezy: CONGRATS!!

Yesterday, I am proud to say I was really good! We went to the BBQ and I kept to my cheeseburger, veggies (without dressing) and half a scoop of pasta salad! For exercise yesterday I did a starter abs set with my brother outside in the glorious sun we had! I have a starting point for my abs routine, but it is kinda blah, if anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them!
Today I'm going healthy snack shopping and making my lunches for the week to come! Hopefully a 2 mile run later tonight.

Dance: Glad you enjoyed Zumba...my friend said it was quite a workout. Good job on your happy hour as well, not sure if I could have been that good!

Burgundy: Not sure when my funk started, I tend to agree with Dance that it's probably me dealing with all my pain from the ARP...even though I'm not technically "working out" the ARP machine makes me do 500 reps a second, so I'm still getting exercise. I do agree with you as well, I just need to feel like I'm back in control of my workouts. Hope you get to have a little down time for yourself, sounds like you have been quite busy! :)

Neesy: CONGRATS on the 170's!!! So proud of you! Your husband's jaw is going to drop when he sees you! :)

Vortgirl: Great job on the BBQ! You are doing great! For abs, I do 20 reps of 5 different types of crunches (standard, across the body i.e. left elbow to right knee, double crunch, and then lower abs i.e. lifting your butt up off the ground while keeping your back flat on the floor). It's what my trainer suggested and it makes a difference I think.

Momof2 I know how shopping goes for little girls. I can't help myself when I'm shopping, my daughter is 2-1/2 and it's so fun buying her girlie things. I go shopping for myself and end up with bags for her and nothing for me! LOL

Ok, as for me...ARP IS DONE!! Wahoo!!! I'm so happy it's over with. Jeff asked me yesterday what I wanted to do (continue with ARP, start training) and I told him training. The pain is completely gone in my shoulder and my right knee (Jeff and I were both surprised by that), and just a little pain still in my left knee, but I can start strengthening it. So, I go back to normal workouts on Tuesday, when I have my first training session at the new gym.

So, yesterday I had ARP, then bought some more workout clothes, then had my facial which was heavenly! :angel: It lasted an hour and was completely relaxing. Then I got my wedding rings back, and they fit great! Went to a communion party and ate WAY too much. I had a lot of protein, which I needed, and then a few desserts, which I didn't need, but what can you do? It was my only cheat this week, so I'm over it. I didn't have dinner, just had a large lunch at the party.

What is everyone up to today? I had some gardening that I got done before 10:30 and I'm getting ready to go to the store. I'm going to stock up on some healthier food and give up the Lean cuisines. Too much sodium, and I need to really push my workouts if I'm going to be a size 12 by October (SIL's wedding).

Have a great Sunday ladies!

Wow...quiet Sunday.

Well, I got to the store, and bought tons of good foods: fruit, veggies, and rotisserie chicken. I didn't buy any lean cuisines, figuring I'll save the sodium. I spent 30 minutes after Maddie went to bed cleaning and cutting all that healthy food, so I have no excuses for not taking it. I got some awesome looking strawberries from Sam's club and some grapes as well. Maddie and I will be living it up this week. :)

To "jazz up" my salad (if that's possible) I bought some artichoke hearts and hearts of palm. Something different. So, I already prepped my lunch for tomorrow: a salad with all the veggies and then I added some fat free cheese and some rotisserie chicken. The store I go to makes a lemon pepper chicken that's really good. We're supposed to have pizza at work tomorrow, so I have to fight that temptation...ugh.

Also, new find for those of you who are tired of water....at Super Wal-Mart (I'm sure they have it at other stores), they have SoBe honey green tea...0 calories and no artificial sweetener! It tasted really good, so there's something out there for us that doesn't have artificial sweeteners. Just thought I'd share.

I'm going to do perfect on plan this week, anyone else in with me? I really want to start pushing myself, especially since I just spent a whole lot of money on ARP and personal training. I decided I will not give up PT until I reach my goal. Not sure if I'll be stopping at 175 like my ticker says, but figured I will see how I feel and perhaps adjust accordingly.

Here's to a week of POP! :)

Hi Girls,

Thanks for the 'well wishes' with my migraine. It finally left today - I hate it when I get those. It isn't often, but seems like every couple of months right before Tom. Anyway took the day off and decided to do some writing, reading and then this afternoon Bubba and I went for a swim in the pool. It felt great ;-) Starting to enjoy this time of year! If I can't walk with my heel spur - I can swim! LOL........ Food is doing great and my head is getting refocused on 'when I am hungry'. Thank goodness!

Neesy CONGRATULATIONS on your weightloss and life in general!!!! Woo Hoo!! It's sounds like all is coming together for you! When do you leave now? Does your husband like Korea?

Dance I have heard Zumba is a blast and a great calorie burner - my assumption is you have fun? LOL.......Oh and I can't keep track of my schedule either because my boss changes it constantly.

Maddiesmom how much longer do you have to do ARP? Is it still painful?

Well, need to get to bed, but I will write more tomorrow and address everyone else. I still need to read back......lol.......nite.

Morning, girls!

Had the yummiest thing at a restaurant last night - spicy edamame - like the regular stuff but quick sauteed with those red chinese chiles (but red pepper flakes would probably work) and garlic with a little oil (probably peanut but I'm going to try it with olive oil to make it healthier) and salt. Seriously to die for! And you barely eat any of the oil since it stays on the outside of the pods if that makes sense. I'm going to try to make it at home soon.

mygrits - so glad the headache's gone - phew!

maddiesmom - I'm with you on POP! Plan is under 1500 cals/day and run Mon/Thurs and Zumba Weds (and maybe Friday if I'm really inspired). What are you going to stick to?

I've got another load of clothes, books and random stuff for goodwill - am loving the decluttering process. It's so nice to get down to only the stuff you need and love.

Hope you guys are all doing great!

Dance: My POP involves my eating. I'm sneaking here and there and have to stop! Plus, I'm giving up a lot of the sodium I usually eat with my Lean Cuisines. Also, I'm starting my workout regime with Jeff, so my POP there would include: PT tomorrow, then workout again on Thursday and Saturday, with walks on my "off" days. That may have to be adjusted depending on how sore I am after my workout with Jeff. We'll see.

I have to start decluttering as well, have a lot of Maddie's old clothes to pack up and put away...don't want to get rid of them in case I have another little girl someday. But I know I have a lot of other things I can get rid of. Just have to find the time. If it's decluttering or working out, I'm going to have to workout! :)

ETA: I turned down pizza! POP is still happening. We ordered really good pizza from a nearby place, but I held strong and only had my salad, which actually wasn't too bad with the hearts of palm and artichoke hearts.

Where is everyone?!?!?

Well, day 1 of POP is officially in the books. I turned down all temptation (even though I really wanted some pizza and I'm dying for chocolate). Here were the meals today:

B: Special K Protein Shake
S: skinless almonds
L: salad with rotisserie chicken, and lots of veggies
S: fresh strawberries & grapes
D: whole wheat pasta with chicken and veggies
S: Baked lays

All in all, it was a good eating day. Tomorrow would have been my FIL's b-day (he passed away 13 years ago). So every day on his birthday we have a hot fudge sundae in his honor (it was his favorite). So tomorrow Matt and I will be sharing a sundae with Madeline rather than each of us getting our own. so, I'm going to be good and only have a bite or 2.

Hope everyone is doing well. Hope you all check back soon!

momof2-I know how it is with girls clothes, I have 2 nieces and my cousin is pregnant and the dr said its a girl. So I have been buying stuff for her.

Dance-I know I didnt relax much while I didnt have the boys but at least I was at HOME!!!! It stinks having to stay there all the time. I have a stack of stuff to go to goodwill in the computer room right now. Decluttering is my fav. My husband would keep everything if I let him but we cant have that.

Vort-I love being outside this time of year, I'll take any excuse to get out there. You are making progress not indulging in all the goodness at the BBQ.

Vicky-you have to be so happy ARP is done and you can get back to your regular workouts. Enjoy your couple bites of sundae while you remember the love your family had for your FIL. May 5th will be 28 years since my dad passed away when I was 9 months old. My sister told me my mom has been missing him a lot lately, wish I was there with her. Plus she just broke up with her boyfriend(good thing, he has been using her for 3 years, long story) Then the 13th is the 2 yr anniversary of my MILs death. May is just not a good month. I think I have tried the SOBE drinks, not a big fan of tea with honey, but that one was ok. I am going to try my best to be POP this week. I have been slipping more than I would like.

Sandy-lucky girl, getting to go swimming. I love swimming and go any chance I get, but now I dont just float around. I actually swim laps.

Went for a 4 mile walk/run tonight. I was so nice and did 70 minutes of wii fit. I am reading a book I saw at the library today. Its called 21 lbs in 21 days, The Martha Vineyard Detox Diet. Not sure what its all about, gonna read it and see if its something I want to try.

I have the boys tomorrow at 330 til sometime Wednesday. Chris wants to take me to breakfast in the morning, gotta make good choices.

I've been trying to drink at least 9 cups of water a day. I'm only at 6 today, didnt drink my 2 cups at breakfast and it put me behind.

Have a great night everyone.

Morning, girls!
Went for my run and stuck to my food plan until I couldn't fall asleep so since the extra calories were after midnight, I think I technically made it. So I guess that means creative meal planning today to make up for last night (maybe b: yogurt and blackberries, l: soup and fruit, d: fish, veggies and salad). No exercise on the list today - not until a zumba class tomorrow. I brought that huge load of stuff to goodwill finally last night and *sigh* what a nice feeling!!

burgundy - that's a lot of sad things all at once - hang in there! I like that you keep your hubby in line as far as clutter :)

maddiesmom - woohoo for day one!

ETA - have any of you tried dry skin brushing? You brush your entire body with a natural fiber brush before you get in the shower and it supposed to do amazing things for your skin. Tried it for the first time before a bath last night and it seems to make you super smooth. Curious to hear if anyone else knows anything about it....

Just heard from my bf and he cancelled our dinner plans for tonight. Looks like he's in another mood. Bummer! So, maybe I will get in some exercise after all - not sure if it will be gardening or walking or both. I'll try to make the best of it and if this mood goes on for a while, maybe I'll be better at focusing on diet/exercise stuff and have less temptations. *sigh*

Hi Ladies,

Well I quit my job.......I know, crazy right? I just couldn't stand the negativity anymore....it reminded me of my corporate position years ago and all the drama......ugh. Honestly I was tired of the manipulating of the owner. Every day it was something new, and I just decided 'enough already.' I want be in a positive environment, and not dread going to work and then being miserable for 8 hours while there. Sooooooo, I home. I am not sure what my next move is at this point. We are working on our home business (some of you got emails, sorry about that it was a bulk send from my mailbox ;0 ) and we will see what transpires in a month. Until then....counting pennies! LOL.....

You all sound like you are still on the move with workouts, good food choices and attitudes! Burgund I haven't heard of that detox before....Have you done a detox? I haven't. Bubba did one and was one the couch sick, like he had the flu. It was a complete body cleanse/detox. They say how your body reacts is due to toxins, but if you eat fairly healthy, it shouldn't be too bad. I got your email bye the way, and will write back today. Thanks!

Maddiesmom, so your done with ARP? Is your back better now? I see we are neck and neck with weightloss..........I am proud of you!!

Dance how is your home? I noticed you were moving dirt the other day....LOL......fun huh? Did you load any picture yet? I would love to see some.

Ok, Tiff wrote on FB she is going back to school soon, so I don't know if she will be on here much anymore. Has she been on since tax season ended last month? I also saw Lindy, who has blond/white hair now. I almost didn't recognize her! She looks good and appears to have lost alot more weight. AJ wrote a quick hello the other day, but don't know much more. She did comment on FB about having her gallbladder out (surger), and then going to Seattle I think?? Not sure, but thought I would catch you all up.

Ok, food has been great, mindset great, and I am hoping my foot will heel in a week now that I am home so I can get to some serious workouts........keep you posted.

wow, mygrits - that's a big step! But I bet you're feeling less stressed already. Thanks for the update on our other buddies - I don't get on FB much so I miss a lot. I haven't seen a post from Tifftiff here since before tax season was over - hope she'll drop by when it's a good time for her.

Dance-its funny, I just read about dry skin brushing in that detox book I am reading. Never tried it though. Might have to now.

Sandy-wow, proud of you though. Its hard to be in a stressful situation like that and keep yourself first in line. Hope your heel starts feeling better soon.

Got a mile in today and 60 minutes on wii fit. Might take the boys for a walk later. Gotta get pjs and things together for tonight. Have great night ladies.

Sandy: I know it was a hard decision whether or not to quit your job, but I know it was the right decision for you. If you are unhappy and dreading work, what's the point? Are you looking elsewhere then or just building the home business?

Dance: What did you eat in the wee hours of the morning? When I get those late night munchies I try and have a glass of juice since it's heavier than water and try and force myself back to sleep. Sorry your plans fell through with the BF, that's really tough. I feel for you because I'm sure that stress from the BF can take its toll on you.

Burgundy: Sorry that May is such a tough month for you. My FIL passed way the day before my SIL's birthday, so to celebrate his life, we have hot fudge sundaes every May 4th. I think since we started posting it all on FB, his family has continued the tradition as well. Did you have your healthy breakfast with Chris? Have fun at work - I'm sure the boys appreciate that you bring some stability to their lives.

To answer the ARP / pain question...the pain in my back is pretty much gone. I'm kinda amazed myself. My back still gets stiff from time to time (especially after I've been sitting for a long periods of time), but my sciatica is gone, my knees are good to go, and my back feels pretty relaxed...not tight at all. So, ARP was painful, but in the end, I think it made a huge difference. I don't feel crooked and so I'm ready to train.

So, POP Day 2 is still a go. I'm snacking on nuts to hold me over, but I'm finding that I'm eating because I'm bored, so I put a stop to that and hid the nuts. Here's food today:

B: Special K shake & 1/2 protein bar
S: Skinless almonds
L: Salad with rotisserie chicken and a ton of veggies
S: Special K Protein water and some more nuts (i put them away) I also brought some fruit, may need that on my way home
D: Lean chicken with veggies - light dinner, I have personal training at 7:30

Burgundy - you workout star! 60min is forever! Curious to hear what else you learn from the detox book - keep us posted!

maddiesmom - I had a few crystal light popsicles which often chase the munchies away but once it got to 2am I was seriously hungry and had 1/2c roasted soy nuts as they're super high in protein which usually work. So glad you're feeling less pain - that must be amazing! Remind me where you are as far as workouts - are you starting them again this week?

Food plan
B: yogurt and berries
l: subway and apple slices
d: chicken, veggies, strawberries for dessert

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope everyone is well!

I'm a little bummed in myself, up 2 lbs on the scale today. I let myself misbehaved yesterday due to my birthday. I was hoping it wouldnt effect the scale that much though. :( Back in line today though, walked 1.5 miles already this morning. I'm going to really work at the gym tonight too. I'm dealing with some additional stress, my grandfather is going in for surgery today, so if you could all say a little prayer for him, I would greatly appriciate it. OKAY, onto happier things!

Grits: CONGRATS! I know that was tough, but trust me it will be better for your health and mind without that unneeded stress! You go girl!

MaddiesMom: what is POP? It sounds like you are really feeling better and in the "go-get-em" mind set! Which is definately an inspiration!

Dance: Wow making good choices even in the middle of the night!! Good Job, sometimes we all need that little bit! Sounds like your getting back in though.

Burgundy: Wow! You are really out working me! I'm using you as a role model for today!!

Well I'm out of update time. Have a good day all!!