hey girls! I survived the dentist and am slowly getting back on track. My eating wasn't too horrible this weekend and I did lots of walking but I was far from POP.

maddiesmom - sounds like you are back in the groove. what did jeff think about your food journal so far?

momof- what a tough situation with your sister but congratulations on your upcoming aunt-hood!

Dance: Jeff thought my menu was pretty much right on from the previous week (didn't send him last week's). He just thinks that I'm not eating enough protein, so I'm trying to add more, but it's hard. I'm not a big meat person, but I guess I need to suck it up and eat more chicken or get some fish. I don't usually buy and make fish, mostly because the hubby doesn't eat it, and I'm not sure how to prepare it.

Momof2: What a tough situation, looking on the bright side, you will be an aunt. Perhaps your sister will buckle down and get a job knowing that she has to support a little one. Employers cannot be biased against someone for being pregnant. A friend of mine got a new job when she was 6 mos along, so it is possible.

Food yesterday was good. I've felt bloated the past few days and my TOM just arrived today, so that's specatular. I've been back on plan and we'll see if I can get rid of all this water weight. I'm not eating a ton, but I'm thinking I may have to increase my calories to lose more weight, especially with the tough workouts I'm getting from Jeff. Here's the plan today:

B: Special K protein shake (I'm not buying any more after these are gone)
S: Almonds and a banana (turned down bages, which sound really good about now)
L: Salad
S: Cutie
D: Roasted chicken with veggies

Exercise: CrossFit workout with Jeff from 6-7; burned almost 900 calories last week, so I'm hoping for the same today.

What is everyone else's plan today?

maddiesmom - A lot of trainers are convinced we need tons and tons of protein to gain muscle and lose weight but the medical experts don't seem to endorse that belief 100% so I think it's great that you're eating leaner but don't beat yourself up too much if you're not eating like an olympic athlete As far as fish, do you shop at costco? If so, grab the frozen tortilla crusted tillapia. They're a little bit spicy, have a crunch coating, and don't taste fishy at all. Your hubby can even make a fish taco out of them (if he's in the mood to branch out). I popped them in the toaster oven last night for 10 min and we had a very yummy dinner. There's another brand's version of the same thing at many regular grocery stores and it's really good too. Let me know what you think if you decide to try it

Doing okay here - having a hard time buckling down to work again after being off sick and then being on vacation. Oh well. Am going to wait another day to start serious exercise as I'm still coughing a fair amount.

Hope everyone's doing great!

Where are my girls?

Good morning! I was finally brave enough to step on the scale this morning and I'm the same as I was before I got sick and before I went to philly. I'm still above ticker but no further damage at least, so good and bad, I guess. I walked 5 miles last night so I'm back in the game. This morning we have a service project for work that will involve working on a trail for 3 hours and I'm either going to go for a run or go to the zumba class tonight - not sure which.

I'm ready to recommit again after my week off -anyone else up for a super-committed week?

What's everyone else up to today?

Dance: Thanks for the advice on the protein. I don't think I'm eating a ton, but I'm really not eating very much of it either. Mostly fruits and veggies, but with the extensive work I've done on my muscles, I need the lean protein to help build them back up. I'll have to check Sam's CLub and see if they have similar seafood products. I'll try anything!

I'm also with you as far as recommitting - no cheats, and that includes the weekend for me! I have TOM so I'm retaining a little water, but I lost last time, so I can do it again! I need to recommit so I can move forward. Had eggs and fruit for breakfast, a chicken caesar (dressing on side) for lunch and probably a muscle milk and fruit for dinner (have Jeff's class tonight AND tomorrow).

So, my friend offered to come with me to Jeff's class, so she and I are going to go tonight and tomorrow. Should be fun to work out with someone and push myself. Hopefully I will be able to walk on Friday! LOL I really have to step up the # of workouts, last week I only worked out twice, I did burn almost 1700 calories, but I could have worked out more, just being lazy.

Dance: What are you doing for your POP? I'm going to watch my eating AND workout more. My plan is 5 days a week, at least 3 of those workouts at the gym.

Have a great day ladies!

Hi Ladies,

Mom, wow that is tough about your sister, I hope all works out in the end, however with a child, it might just be tougher. How did you enjoy your treadmill? No excuses now! LOL.....;-)

Maddiesmom, I use to hear the protein thing alot when I worked at the health food store - it was next door to a gym. I have two canisters here, and drank it religiously for a month or longer, but never felt it did much. The owner said sometimes the protein shakes are harder for your body to process. I don't know, but I find getting my protein out of real foods is better and more satisfying.

Dance congrates on now weight gain. Sorry about the Dentist - I don't like them........lol..;-9 Anway, are you back on track now? Sounds like you have gotten alot of great walking in lately - good for you!!

I did see that notation from Neesy on FB about the #30. I guess she can't go until 30 more families or people leave. Feel so bad for her.......seems like by the time she gets there, it will be time for him to come back! Ugh, so has to suck for them.

Burgund my buddy, how are you? The boys? What is going on with your legs or calves?

Well, my foot is 80% better and I am so tempted to go jogging tomorrow.........hmmm, have to think on it. I have been riding the bike, but other than that, just a bit lazy. My dog (German Shephard) head butted me two days ago and boy do I have a swollen black and blue cheek which is moving towards my eye. He did this aroun 9 months ago, remember? Yes, well this time he went at it with 100 lbs. of muscle! LOL...........funny now, but wanted to kill him then! Anyway, I have a lost a few pounds while home and will put my ticker back on Friday.

Think I'll go bake a sweet potato - I love them and they are actually the healthiest veggie out there! Yummmmmmmmmm

mygrits - congrats on the losses! I'm looking forward to seeing that ticker skootch lower and lower!

maddiesmom - I'm trying to increase my amount of activity, basically just to burn more calories and increase that all-important calorie deficit. I'm also thinking that it's time (finally) to start incorporating some strength stuff in there. I do leg lifts to keep my knee strong but am thinking I'll start slow with situps, pushups and some bicep curls. I know that's not much but it's a start. I'm thrilled about all the great summer fruit that's starting to show up in the store so sticking to plan foodwise should get easier and easier.

Just got back from another 5-mile walk so I'm going to call that good for the day and try running tomorrow. Plan for dinner is fish and veggies, strawberries and maybe a sf popsicle for dessert.

Hope you all have a nice evening!

ETA: mygrits - just re-read your post and saw the comment about running and your foot being 80%. Just my two cents but based on my own experience with overuse injuries, it seems to me like the best thing you could do would be to let your foot get back to 100% before running on it. I'd hate to see you go right backwards in your healing process. I know how frustrating it is to wait though and I'm sure you'll do whatever is right for you.

Hey ladies, just wanted to check in. Yesterday was our 8 yr anniversary so we were out of town. Had a nice day but I have a cold so it could have been better. Its was so nice out and I didnt even feel like being out there today. We got home, had some lunch and took a nap. I never nap, but it was nice. Im gonna relax and watch Biggest Loser, I recorded it last night. Gonna rest tomorrow too and try to get myself better cos I have the boys on Friday. I'll check in tomorrow and comment then. Night.

Sandy: Thanks for the info on the protein. I know that there are different types out there, but I heard that whey protein is better for you than soy protein, so I'm going to try that. We'll see if it helps. Basically I'm doing it to help me stay full, and to get the protein I need. Glad your foot is doing better, but I agree with Dance, you may want to wait a little longer to keep from injuring yourself again. glad you're losing weight while being at home...good for you!

Dance: Yes, good old strength training. I do it all the time with Jeff, but he makes it fun and changes it up for me. Now I really don't mind it...I'd rather do strength than cardio, but he has me doing both without realizing it. Good luck on POP, and the 5 mile walk...you are doing awesome.

Allison: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! So sorry you're still feeling under the weather. Hope you feel better soon!

As for me, I stayed on plan (other than the handful of goldfish crackers and 3 mini milky way bites...TOM...damn). I worked out with Jeff in our class and my friend Susie came with me. It's been awhile since I've seen her, but she has a job close to the gym, so I'm trying to push her to workout with me. She was getting her butt kicked. She's supposed to go with me tomorrow, but we'll see...she may be pretty sore.

So, I burned 869 calories in the class today, and I managed to hurt my ankle last night and used it quite a bit tonight so Jeff used the ARP machine on it to get the blood flowing to get rid of the inflammation. I tell you, he's such a great trainer, didn't even charge me for the ARP session, the class, and he could have gone home after the class, but instead he stayed and helped me out. I'm going back tomorrow for another class, hoping the ankle will be better by then.

Have a great night ladies!

burgundy - sorry about your cold! I'm still coughing away so I hope you get over yours much faster! And happy belated anniversary - I'm glad you guys had a nice time.

I'm working from home today and am moving kind of slowly - maybe it's just the after-effects of the cold but I totally don't have the energy to go for a run.

maddiesmom - that sounds like a heck of a class! how is your ankle today?

Hi Ladies,

Well first, sorry your not feeling good Burgund and Dance, but I hope today is a better day. Sounds like taking it slow and naps may be the answer.

Maddiesmom Whey is better, and that is what I have. Soy in any form you need to be careful of, as it is directly linked to breast cancer. GMO (genetically modified), or processed Soy is not good. True, unprocessed like Miso (not canned) is good for you in moderation. Soy directly affects hormones, which is why too much can be dangerous. Anwy, enough of the education........LOL..........the trainers at the gym all push the Whey too. Let me know if it helps. I can give you some tidbits on some great and 'healthy' smoothies if you need them.

Well no loss today, but I'm OK with that, as I haven't really exercised. I worked most of the day on the computer. I appreciate the input on my foot, which is why I waited another day. I am sitting here debating walking or not. I know I don't want a major setback, but I haven't walked or jogged in like 9 months except maybe twice. I miss it, and I'll now have been home 3 weeks.........UGH! I'll let you know later today what I decided.......

Have a good day everyone!

Dance: Sorry you are still feeling under the weather. I hate when being sick sets you back. The ankle is feeling a lot better since I had it ARP'd, thanks for asking.

Sandy: I'll let you know about the whey protein. I'm going to try it, figured it couldn't hurt, but it's not going to be the "end all, be all" of my daily food intake. I figured I'd have it here and there when I don't have time to make something for breakfast. Thanks for the information though. Jeff told me never to have the soy protein you find at the store, as your body is lacking the sufficient enzymes to break it down completely...so I've stayed away from that.

As for me, I'm doing ok food-wise. GOOD NEWS! I hit 205 yesterday, which is now 70 pounds gone! Very exciting. I was running around at lunch yesterday and almost went to Chipotle (again, my downfall), but thought to myself, I just lost 70 pounds, why would I want to gain that 1 pound back by eating that junk? So, I went to a restaurant and ordered a salad. Had a very light dinner as well.

Went to the gym last night to do Jeff's class (I was the only student...again). I mentioned to Jeff that my back was bothering me a bit (I fell doing an exercise the day before). So, we didn't do the workout, instead he hooked me up to the ARP machine and loosened the tight muscles in my back hoping to get rid of the pain. I'm glad I mentioned it to him instead of working out, I'm really starting to listen to my body rather than ignoring the pain, since now it's abnormal for me to be in pain. So far today, the back is feeling good, so I will still have my training session with him tomorrow at 7 am. He's great - didn't charge me again for the ARP treatment.

Hope everyone is doing ok...what is everyone's plans this weekend?

maddiesmom - Woohoo - happy dance for 70lbs! That is like two giant containers of cat litter from costco! What an amazing thing you are doing for yourself and your body - I'm so impressed! And to be getting rid of chronic pain at the same time - just awesome. Are you looking forward to wearing certain kinds of clothes this summer that you used to avoid? I bet you are looking sharp in capris these days!

mygrits - how's your foot feeling today?

burgundy - how's your cold? I think I'm just a little sniffly with allergies so I'm finally over mine - hope yours is much shorter!!

Nothing too exciting planned for the weekend. My cleaning ladies come today (I had postponed them last week) so I'm super excited to have a clean house after 3 wks of chaos. We're going to walk to dinner somewhere tonight and I'm going to try to get myself up and off to zumba tomorrow morning. We'll see how that goes I have yardwork to do tomorrow, some prints to take in for framing, and some furniture shopping to do at some point. I need a dresser and a chest of drawers or two and my bedroom will be done - woohoo! I'll post some interior pictures when I have it all set. It's supposed to be in the 80s here this weekend - finally summer!

What's everyone else up to?

Just a quick share (guess my willpower is back...sort of):

So it was someone's birthday in my department and they brought bagels and donut holes. Granted, this is the 3rd time someone has brought bagels in this week and I haven't had a single one.

So, I went over to see what was there and I popped a donut hole in my mouth. I took one chew and it tasted absolutely nasty to me (like the oil they fried it in), so I went back to my desk and spit it into a napkin and threw it away. Guess I'm losing my taste for donuts!

...I said sort of because I had a mini milky way...TOM is playing mind games!

woohoo for willpower! way to go! I've been kind of hard on myself lately for not sticking POP but is interesting to think about the better choices you make almost automatically now without it being all that difficult. Thanks for getting me thinking along positive lines!