Dance-it was fun. I still have enjoyed my apple yet. Its in the fridge calling my name though. Cant wait to see pics of your cute house after all the work is done. Im gonna try to get out for a walk around 7 if its not raining.

Walked 2 miles and did some crunches on the ab lounge. Need to do my dishes but its almost 11, they can wait til the morning this one time. Night girls

Dance: sounds like your house is gonna look lovely when its done! :)

Well I finished work yesterday (hiphiphooraaay!) so now I have exactly 11 days to lose those 4 pounds I need to get to 147...Planning on going swimming later and I want to get my sleeping pattern back to normal so I can get up in the mornings and start running again before it gets too hot in the day :)

Hope you're all having a good weekend!

burgundy - good job getting your exercise in! I think taking care of yourself wins over dishes every time ;)

katylil - woohoo for being done with work - that must feel great! What are you planning on doing food-wise to lose those last few?

I ended up walking with my mom yesterday instead of running but it was a fast walk. I'm going to head out to run a loop in the park in a few minutes but wanted to say good morning to you gals first. It has been kind of weird not weighing myself at all for the last few weeks and focusing on eating sensibly. I think I'm about the same based on the way my clothes fit but we'll see. Tons of errands to run today and it's going to be crazy hot out - ah, good times... :) Hope you all are doing great....

Hey gals - for some odd reason it won't accept a new password request so I can't log in anywhere but at home...strange. I'm going to try and figure it out when I get home tonight and do laundry because I was dying to check in this weekend but not getting home until well after midnight. Last night I was so tired I never even washed my face or brushed my teeth before I went to bed. Ick!

So I got my hair fixed and it's super short. I feel more professional with it so that is good but definitely a lot to get used to.

The big news is a job opportunity that would set me up for the rest of my career and it's here in the city. So many things to think about...it's been very anxious and stressful for me. It's still in my industry but a bit different and would be a big lifestyle change for me as well - more money, better hours and tons of room of advancement - but yet I feel so anxious....but glad to say I haven't binged in over a week, maybe even longer. Even at the arena, I've had no popcorn and that is a major achievement. have not had time for the gym though...but considering how much I'm running around that is ok.

Dance - congrats to you - the scale is the devil - I might of missed this, but are you staying off the scale for a certain length of time? I'm really trying that too. I hope you have a great workout!!!

Will catch up with the rest of you ladies when I get home tonight...the shower is calling my name. Plus I', trying to type without glasses and I'm all hunced over my laptop and my neck is crinked lol. Talk to you soon!!!

staccie - way to go on avoiding treats! And I'm excited for you about the new career opportunity - sounds great. I'm not staying away from the scale as part of a strategy but because of remodeling on the main floor, I've moved into the basement guestroom for a while and since it's carpeted, I just left my scale upstairs in a room that has been taped off to avoid dust so I basically don't have access to it for a while. No major a-ha's or anything but it has been interesting focusing on other cues as to how I'm doing - how clothes fit, energy level, attitude.

I made it 3.5 miles today, girls and it's got me inspired to shoot for 4 miles this week. Anyone wanna join me in upper their mileage or other form of exercise intensity? I'm motivated to make some progress!

Well thought I would log in since I won't be able to until Tuesday. Tomorrow is Black Eyed Peas...it will be a good 17 hour day.
Career opportunity - I get some from time to time. Problem is, I love my current boss and the place where I work so finding balance between that and the other is always difficult. When the decision has to be made, I will make it without looking back.
Cheers to a great week for everyone! I cooked my food for this week so I'm set!

PS - please don't use my real name on here - it's so unique and I don't want my posts to show up on google :)

Dancer: yeah it feels awesome!! :D food-wise, I'm mainly concentrating on cutting down my carbs (especially at dinner), upping my lean protein and eating waaay more vegetables than I have been lately.

BrownEyed: the career oportunity sounds brilliant! and well done on avoiding the tats! sounds like you're doing great at the moment :)

I had a complete re-charge day yesterday (no exercise) but did well with food. My friends and I went out for Chinese food (which I LOVE), but I stuck to a little bit of vegetable noodles and some beef chow-mein and don't think it was too bad. It was definitely not as bad as I usually am with Chinese food!!
I'm now off to watch an episode of FRIENDS on the elliptical and then my sister and I are going to do an ancient Jane Fonda workout video I unearthed the other day, before vegging out by the pool all day! :)

Hope you're all having a good Monday!

staccie - totally understand on the real name thing - I'll be sure not to use it. (Staccie, by the way, is not her real first name for newer folks). Good luck with the marathon day - hope you get to enjoy the music while you work.

katylil - sounds like a great way to lose the last few - best of luck!

Got in another walk with a friend for a total of around 7 miles yesterday so a good exercise day. I'm going to give my knee a break today and just run errands after work.

Foodplan for today:
B: Yogurt and raspberries
L: Tuna sandwich and apple slices
D: Chicken, broccoli, salad

What's everyone else eating today?

Yoghurt and raspberries sounds great Dancer! I wish I could get raspberries where I live :(

My food today:
B- Special K with skimmed milk and an orange juice.
L- half a pitta bread with boiled egg, half a pitta bread with half a can of tuna and tomato, yoghurt
D- not sure yet. Whatever my mum makes with a lot of salad
:)

And I've been pretty good with the exercise today: 15 minutes on the elliptical, 15 minutes of aerobics (Rosemary Conley DVD), some swimming in the pool and several trips up and down the stairs from the very bottom to the very top of my house and back again (4 floors).

I then proceeded to get slightly sunburnt by the pool and now I'm watching FRIENDS :)

Hope you're all having a good day!

Katy-work hard and you can get those 4 lbs off. Glad you had some down time. The last time we had chinese I didnt pig out like usual. I stuck to chicken and veggies in a white sauce.

Dance-7 miles, you rock!!! I need to up my mileage too. I would need a break after 7 miles too.

Staccie-how are you liking the short hair, I went shorter too today. Oh I admit to using your real name on here once but went back and edited it, sorry.

I only walked a mile today, went with my SIL and niece and they were ready to head back after a mile. I have to boys the next 2 days so maybe I can drag them out for a walk or bike ride tomorrow evening. Im gonna do some wii fit later or ab lounge before bed.

Well I think I am gonna be on a job hunt soon. Everytime I am supposed to keep the boys plans change and they dont need me. With them being divorced the dad is taking them more(which is great for them but not great for my paycheck). They dont need me today or tomorrow so the only day I am working this week is Sunday. Anyways.

Gonna up my mileage today. Want to shoot for 3 miles a day 5 or 6 days a week.

Hey girls!
Got in a 3 mile walk at lunch today but couldn't sleep last night so I'm beyond wiped out. I'm going to try to stay awake until 8pm so I don't wake up in the middle of the night. On the positive side, I have my main bathroom back at 90% so I'll be moving back upstairs probably tonight or tomorrow.

burgundy - what are you thinking on the job front?

katylil - did you get in some exercise today?

maddiesmom - you've been quiet lately - is everything okay in your world?

Ok - made it to 8 - woohoo! Off to bed...

staccie - hope the concert event went smoothly and that you're hanging in there. When do we get to see pix of the new do?

Dance-have a great nights sleep. On the job front, not sure if I want to take on more children or what. I am gonna be doing some volunteering at the local Humane Society so that will take up some time. I walked 2 miles tonight and biked 1, wanted to go more on the bike but it was getting dark.

burgundy - love the new photo - you have such a pretty complexion. It's so great that you volunteer at the humane society - it must be hard not to bring all of the animals home.

Rest day for me today but am trying to keep eating on plan. I fit into a dress the other day that I couldn't zip up when I first bought it on ebay a few months ago so that seems good. Hope you all are doing great....

Hey ladies!

Well I got through Black Eyed Peas...killer long day. I was so tired I went to sleep early last night and was wide awake at 1AM - ack so I've been pumping work through...no sense just lying there and thinking about it. Dance - I hear you - now I have to force myself to stay up until at least 9 so I don't wake up again!!!

Those events are hard on my body! Two lady gaga shows this week coming up (or as I say - lady gagme lol). Should be interesting people watching anyway! I've been doing ok for eating - no junk food but not eating enough and eating too late at night...so gotta clean that up. I'm back to the gym on Saturday - I have two weeks with no events so I can get back up and running. I find going to the gym on an event day just too tough on my body.

Burgandy- saw pics on fb - and on here - love the new do - looks wonderful, and your face has slimmed out really well!!! Hottie!!!!! :) Your confidence is really shining through. And complexion - wow - I'm super envious!!!

Dance - congrats on the dress..I bet that feels awesome! Where are you going to wear it to?

Katy - pool...I was salivating when you said that :)

As for my hair, I gotta admit I am really liking it if nothing else because it's so much easier to do and it looks much more professional. I love the look of long hair though but I'm not sure I will go back to long for awhile. Once my face slims out a bit more the new haircut will even look better.

It's only 8AM and I think I should be napping. I know I'm going to get the gears for sending emails at 2AM...lol. At least no one is bugging me during that time! I got a week's worth of work done :)

staccie - so glad things calm down a bit after next week. And you have such a slender face that I'm sure you can get away with any haircut. Can you bring snacks with you to work? That might help on the eating too late front. Not sure what I'm going to wear that dress to. It's a bit va-va-voom for casual denver (black, a bit low in front, halter style) but I'll have to get creative and come up with something.

I get highlights and a trim tomorrow - can't wait - when the red in my hair fades, I feel so blah. Anyone else color their hair?

Dancer: well done on the dress! :) its a great feeling when that happens! I'm sure you'll find somewhere to wear it!!
I'm so excited to go back to my clothes (they're currently packed away in suitcases in my new flat back in England) and try them on and see how they fit now!
Also hair. I colour mine! Well. I'm a natural blonde, I started colouring it around Christmas time (a reddish brown colour) with semi permanent stuff. Now I'm trying to get back to my natural colour which is turning out to be problematic. I'm terrified it's gonna go bright orange! :/

Burgundy: nice new pic! :) how's the job hunting going?

Staccie: sounds like you had a busy time! Glad to hear things will calm down a bit and you can get some rest soon!

I went to the beach yesterday. We had to park the car way back so it took us half an hour to walk to our spot on the beach and the half an hour back again (across sand!) and then I also did some swimming in the sea (which was no joke considering those waves!) so that was my exercise for the day :) had a nice healthy tuna and veggie pasta salad and a banana for lunch so kept to my calories for the day too!
I got pretty sunburnt on my back (spent too much time in the water I think...) so no exercise today, but I've been slathering on the aftersun and am spending the day inside, drinking tons of water so I'll definitely be back on the elliptical tomorrow! :)
Lunchtime now. I'm going to have some cold vegetable soup and a salad and I'll check in again with you all later!
Hope you're all having a good week! :)

Morning, girls! I was back in my usual bedroom again last night as the remodel of the bathrooms almost done and got on the scale this morning - 167! Two pounds from ticker - that means I've lost three pounds in the last couple of weeks and I so have not been POP. I've had pizza and salad for dinner a couple of times but I haven't had much of a craving for sweets so I think that has helped. I hope it stays that way. We're going to walk to dinner tonight so that will probably count as my exercise for today.

katylil - ouch on your sunburn! Hope it's feeling better soon. I bet your clothes will be very loose on you when you get back to England. Keep us posted on the journey back to blonde - curious to hear how that goes!

Hope you're all doing great!

Yay for the weigh in Dancer!! :)

Well I've been gradually lightening my hair with a camomile essence spray thing. It basically does the same job as bleach, but in a more natural/non-damaging way! Mum and I just got back from the shops where I've bought a light ash blonde dye colour (my hairdressing aunt says it should neutralise the red tones I've got in there at the moment from the Chestnunt/Mahogany colorus I've been dying it...) and we'll see what happens! :/

Dance-thank you!! I havent started at the Humane Society yet but it will be hard not to bring them all home, but I think 2 is my limit. Great job with the dress, I bet you were excited. I stopped dying my hair for a while. I do red mostly but tired to go back to my natural dark brown but then the grays were shining through so I went back to dying it red/purplish a few weeks ago, I really like it with the new cut.

Staccie-Lady Gaga, should be really interesting people watching. Enjoy your 2 weeks event free. Thank you for the compliments. We wanna see pics of the new hair.

Katy-job hunting, I'm laying low this week. My husband and I are talking about starting a business but we arent sure yet. I might advertise to nanny for another family that will need me more often. Ouch on the sunburn, I always burn. Have to use lots of sunscreen.

Oh Dance congrats on being 2 lbs from ticker. I was 192.0 today so thats 2 lbs from ticker for me too. Lets bust through this and get back to ticker weight. I want to be able to change my weight so bad.

Only walked a mile yesterday. Chris was rushing me to get home so we could watch Big Brother. We are addicted to that show. Gonna get out earlier so I can go further today.

Tomorrow is grocery day, we are running low on everything. I didnt make it to the farm market this week so I really need some fruits and veggies.

burgundy - sounds like we need a 2lb mini-challenge! :) It's probably not realistic but I'd love to lose the next two by labor day when we have out of town guests. Even if I don't make it, it's good to have something to keep me motivated. And if that's your new hair color in your photo - love it!

Ugh. I think I might have to join you on those 2lbs ladies!!! :(
Just weighed myself and so much for losing 4lbs...I've gone UP two! :(:(:( Grrr!!!!

So...2lbs by Labor Day then? :)

Dance and Katy-I will try for 2 lbs by labor day. Gives me some motivation. I rented some different wii games tonight that will get me moving and Walk away the pounds with Leslie Sansone(think thats her name).


Vicky-where are you??????????????

Ladies - it's on! Not sure I can get there but it's always worth a shot. Just got back from my stylist and my hair is all coppery again - very happy. That plus fitting into my size 10 capris has me in a pretty good mood ;)

Oooh! Well done on the capris Dancer! :)

Burgundy: what games did you rent? Argh I really wish we had a wii! There're some pretty cool games out there now :)

Hey and yeah, Maddiesmom, where'd you go?!

Still no exercise today, my back stopped hurting and now it's my waist, on the side of my ribs that's killing me... :( also I went out last night and ended up having a slice of pizza and some salad (I swear my friends are incapable of making anything else when we meet for dinner) and then we got stuck into the mojitos. Woke up this morning very bloated and once again determined to stick to my healthy eating plan. It's just so stupidly hard when I havent had a social life all summer and also we have fmaily staying with us until tuesday so my mum is making all this incredibly amazing food...it's so hard!! :(
I cant wait til I fly back to uni next week and can control what I have in my kitchen!

Hope you're all having a good friday!

Ugh - up half a pound on the scale this morning. I know I didn't do anything wrong yesterday and it's just a normal fluctuation but it always bums you out. Maybe it was good for my mental health to have that scale break for a while ;)

Might try for an evening run today. What's everyone else up to?

Katylil - It's so hard when there's off-plan food right there in front of you all the time. Good luck resisting the temptations!

maddiesmom & aj - how are you guys doing? hope all is okay.

mygrits - we miss you - come say hi!

Dance-not sure I can get there either but we can try our hardest. Doesnt it feel great to get your hair done. I felt wonderful after I got mine done on Monday, still do. I can actually style it like she did it at the salon. Yay for your size 10s!!!!!!!!!!! Dont get discouraged with the scale, I'm the same way though.

Katy-I got a Daisy Fuentes Pilates game, I rented it before and didnt really like it too much but they didnt have many active games. I also got a beach sports game so gonna play some volleyball when Im done. It will be so easier when you get back to uni and can control your food.

Didnt get a walk in today, went downstate and did some grocery shopping. Went to Kroger, the closest one is like an hour and a half away. So now we have plenty of healthy food in the house so no excuses to not stay on plan this week. I am sick of the 190s so I will get to 189!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gonna work in the yard tomorrow so that will be a good workout.

Have a fun weekend everyone.

Hey girls, it's me again. Just trying to check in somewhat often.

Dance, I feel your pain on the non-stop house work...although ours has just gotten pushed into overdrive.

Burgandy, I love my Wii too...I just don't play it enough! I love the kickboxing on the Wii fit, but I haven't played in at least 6 months.

Katy, it really does take some incredible self control to eat healthy and stay on plan when you have a social life (not that I would know...lol). That is something I definitely need to work on as well.

Staccie, every time you talk about your job, you just sound so darn important! I mean that as a compliment...lol. It sounds like no two days are alike.

So, the reason our house is probably gonna be put in overdrive is because we want to move. My husband's family all lives in Ohio and he wants to be within a day's drive of them and we are both getting so sick of Florida. I am not really liking my job and he officially hates his new job. His new boss/owner is psycho from the sound of things! I actually don't mind my job right now, but the future is looking really bad. If things go the way they look...I will be even more busy than I ever even thought of being. Plus, when I got my "promotion" that had been held in front of my face for over a year, they tried to act like it wasn't a promotion. When I asked about the pay difference...I was guilt-tripped for even asking for a raise in this economy (even though they cut out a huge salary when the guy I replaced left). Plus it wasn't "meant to be a promotion". Um, yeah. Going from being one tax advisor's assistant to taking over 240 new clients I have never even dealt with isn't a promotion. RIGHT. Sorry, that topic makes my blood boil.

Anyways, so we are looking to move. Actually suggestions are welcome. I am looking for a decent sized city with extensive public transportation (we want to sell 1 car). It needs to be in Ohio or the surrounding states. He would prefer us or them to have an 8 hour or less drive. Obviously it needs to have a decent job market, although the demand is pretty good for accountants everywhere, my husband still doesn't have a career path and he is trying to figure out what the heck to do with his business degree. Any suggestions.

On to the real topic, weight and exercise. I am doing pretty good. We started power 90, which is the predecessor to P90X. We finished day 3 tonight. Already noticing a difference in endurance. I am down a few more lbs from when I last posted, although I think I am going to have a huge fluctuation tomorrow since I peeked at the scale tonight. It isn't justified though, unless my super sore muscles are retaining water, which is a definite possibility. My triceps are KIIIILLING me. :0

I hope all of you are well!

Tiff-I wasnt using my wii much at all either but lately started renting quite a few games so I have indoor workout options. That really sucks about your "promotion" Dont know much about Ohio so dont really have any suggestions for you. Maybe you can talk to Neesy sometime. Great job on starting power 90, are you liking it? You probably are retaining water if your weight goes up but I notice my weight is always a little higher in the evening. Glad you checked in.

Dance and Katy-hows it going getting the 2 lbs off. I was still at 192 this morning so hoping to see a loss by Monday or Tuesday.

I have a huge pot of chicken, veggie and rice soup in the crock pot. It called for green beans but I wanted to try edamame so we'll see how it turns out. I'll probably have it for lunch tomorrow. I'm making chicken soup for dinner and my husband wants my homemade biscuits with it. Not the healthiest meal but I wont go overboard.

Worked out on the wii last night, probably do the same today and get back to walking tomorrow. I have the boys all day tomorrow, planning on taking them to the beach. Time to find the sunscreen.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Hey girls! Didn't have my laptop turned on all weekend - must be a new record for me ;)

tifftiff - nice to hear from you! Good luck with the planning for a move - sound like a new adventure for you two.

burgundy - how did your soup turn out?

I was down a pound to 166 earlier this weekend but haven't weighed myself today to see if it stuck around. I did a bunch of organizing and going up and down stairs but didn't do fantastic for exercise otherwise. We walked to dinner on Saturday but that was about it. Am heading out for a run as soon as it gets a little lighter. I woke up super early today and couldn't get back to sleep.

Okay, girls - one week until Labor day - what's everyone shooting for this week?

Dance-The soup was great, took it over for the boys for dinner yesterday. They loved it. Congrats on 166. I dont know if I am gonna make it to 190. I was still at 192 this morning but had too much sodium yesterday. I climbed the stairs 20 times last night after the boys went to bed(didnt count going down) and did some crunches and leg lifts. Havent gotten a workout in tonight but gonna do that dvd I rented.

Where is everyone??

Hi everyone!
dancer: congrats on the 166! :)
burgundy: come on! we can do this! :)

I've had a crazy weekend, meeting up with friends to say goodbye, had family over...it's not been too good foodwise! And yet when I weighed in yesterday I was down to 152. HUH? Exactly.

Hope you're all doing OK! I'm gonna be busy packing and getting sorted before I leave on thursday so I probably won't be around much, especially as we haven't sorted out the internet yet in our flat, so I'll probably see y'all at some point next week (hopefully on Labor Day)!!

PS. Hey MaddiesMom, where'd you go!?

katylil - woohoo for 152! You will be looking skinny and gorgeous back at school. Good luck with the whole process - I know it's such a pain bringing all your stuff back and forth.

burgundy - we still have a few more days - I have a feeling you'll be seeing 190 very soon ;) What's your workout plan for today?

I'm up scary early and not sure why. I'm getting some work done though so not too bad. Planning on an after work walk with a friend so that will be my exercise for the day.

Food plan -
B: whole grain cereal, raspberries and skim milk
L: tuna sandwich and apple slices
D: tillapia, broccoli and salad

What's everyone else eating today?

Katy-we can do this!!!!!!! :hug:Congrats on getting back down to 152. Have a good week.

Dance-workout for today was 100 crunches on ab lounge and I walked about a mile and a half but it was so hot out. I have a walking dvd so I may do that in a little bit. Food was ok today. Bagel thin and lf cream cheese, L watermelon, grapes and a couple chips/lf dip(yea not so good) D was chicken and peppers w/tomato slices and sweet potato.

Its to quiet here lately, hope everyone gets talkative again soon.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Where is everyone????????????

I know - funny how it goes in waves, right?

Good for you on the crunches and the walk. I did a three mile loop with a friend yesterday and am planning on some yardwork after work today. Tomorrow and Friday I'm taking off and am planning runs both days. I have no trouble getting myself to walk or run fairly often and I do my weird leg lifts to prevent more knee troubles but I don't seem to be able to make myself do situps and pushups. I'll give it another shot tomorrow and Friday since I'll have lots of free time and no excuses.

Scale is at 166.7 so up a few tenths from the other day but still in the neighborhood. Looks like I need to be extra good for the next few days to even have lost 1lb by Labor day ;)

Hope all of you are doing okay. I just know that I wouldn't have made as much progress as I have (and maintained it for so long) without all of you. I'm amazed at the combined effects of community and accountability and I hope to someday be like rockinrobin, mandalynn, lori bell and those other amazing maintainers that stay active on the board. The next 16.7 lbs seem pretty daunting, especially as my progress has been sooooo slow lately but I'd like to shoot for 160 by my b-day in October. That would be the thinnest I've been in 10yrs. It sounds hard but conceivably possible thanks to you girls.

I see friends struggling to lose weight and go about things in ways that seem counterproductive to me and it's so hard to see. Hugs to all of you for your wisdom and support!