Hi Ladies,

So sorry I've been MIA again, life has been crazy.

Staccie: Welcome back! We did miss you. I kind of FB stalked you so I knew what was going on from your posts, etc. How is your new job? It seems to keep you pretty busy. What is your WL plan?

Allison: What is Just Dance? Is it a workout DVD? I'm not familiar. Sounds like you are getting back into the walking routine - which is great! I'm going to have to start, but I'm going to start working out with Jeff too, so we'll see what fun workouts he gives me!

Dance: How did the housework go? Are all the servicemen out for good, or is there more work to do? You are a running goddess and I really wish I could go toe-to-toe with your running. Oh well, guess it's not in the cards for me. I've never done the book on tape when working out, I find that I really can't pay attention when I'm exercising. I can barely do it with music playing.

Katylil Have fun on the elliptical - Friends is a great show to work out to - pretty mindless and it keeps you distracted from what you are really doing. Glad to see you are getting back on track!

Thank you all for the congrats on the ARP - yes I am so relieved it's done and over with. The pain is totally gone!!! I'm soo thrilled. I still get sore from time to time which causes a little pain, but nowhere near what I was experiencing before. I'm back to working out with Jeff and he's going to keep tabs on me and make sure I'm doing ok. If I start to feel just a little pain, it's going to mean a little ARP session, but nowhere near what I was doing before.

So today was the SIL's bridal shower - saw some family friends who haven't seen me in about 4 years. One girl's jaw literally dropped when she saw me - she couldn't believe the change. Another family friend didn't even recognize me (and she was the one who threw me my bridal shower!!) I got compliments throughout the day, so those were nice to hear. They had a family style lunch, but I took a spoonful of everything and that was all. One bite sized carrot cake and that was it. But, I have to admit, I had pizza (tons of veggies) for dinner.

Best part of today?!? I weighed in and reached 195. I'm down 2 pounds, which is a total of 80 lost!!! Definite plus to my day. Tomorrow is the zoo with Madeline and we're bringing a picnic lunch so there's no way I can cheat. Lots of walking so that should be fun.

I posted pics on FB for those of you interested - actually wore a dress today!

Vicky - I saw your pictures you look fantastic - congrats!!! 80 pounds is a great accomplishment!!

Dance - your meals always sound so yummy...I eat so plain all the time (unless I go to my sisters).

Burgandy - beach - sounds really nice - we've been getting enough rain here for a beach!

Well I made it through today with a good workout and no cheats - even though the popcorn at the venue smelled so good. I am working all weekend for Cirque. New job is good - just really busy but I'm trying to find balance.

I'm on a two weeks stretch with no days off because of so many events...ick! As long as I can get to the gym and not eat junk I will be good. That's my weightloss plan - just work out and eliminate the binges...god knows they've been horrible the past two years, especially the past four.

Well I'm heading to bed now - early morning at the gym!

Hope you are all enjoying your awesome weekend!

Wow!! Congrats Maddiesmom!!!! 80 pounds!! That is BRILLIANT!!

Dance: I've tried the books on tape before. Didnt really work, I couldnt concentrate! I prefer listening to upbeat music nowadays

Staccie: that sounds like a good plan good luck!

Staccie - it must be really hard working at an event location - all the concession stands tend to have such tempting but wildly unhealthy stuff. There's a new trend here though towards having a little better stuff - at the baseball field they now sell sushi and edamame but the hockey place is all beer, pizza and junk food still. Maybe things will change over time where you work. Good for you for sticking to plan! And I think you're totally on the right track with what you're trying to do.

maddiesmom - wooohooo for 80lbs! You, my dear, are a rockstar!! That's just wonderful and to have that combined with no pain must feel like winning the lottery. So happy for you! I indulged in some pizza too yesterday - we were planning on going out somewhere healthy but those plans kind of collapsed for various reasons and we ended up doing a big salad and pizza with veggies. Not horrific but not great.

Burgundy-I'm curious about Just Dance too - tell us how you like it.

Tile guys are here again today, but at least it's just them. Yesterday was nuts - electrician, cleaning ladies and tile guys. I felt like it was grand central station for a while. I'm going to head out for a run in a bit, then run some errands and then in the afternoon, we have a going away party for a friend who's heading off on some long term travels. Anyone with me for miles today? Walking, elliptical or otherwise

In other news, I finally booked our vacation for next spring using frequent flyer miles. We're going to Tunisia in North Africa - should be an interesting adventure. And since it will be hot there and will most likely involve bathing suits, it will give me some motivation for continuing to get into better shape.

Hope you all are having a good weekend...

Thanks everyone for the congrats! I'm getting there!! I was originally having my goal set at 175, but I'm wondering if I'm going to be happy with that number. I'm almost thinking that if I could get into the 160's, I would be thrilled. We'll just have to see what my body does as I drop that last 20 to my original goal.

Dance: Your vacation sounds awesome - and what a motivator! My SIL is spending her honeymoon in South Africa, where she'll be staying at a compound and going on safaris. Then it's to Mozambique for 5 days lying on the beach. Are you going on vaca with the BF?

Staccie: We missed you!! Glad to have you back! I don't know how you do it, I'd probably weigh 500 pounds if I had concessions food - I love those pretzels, and nachos, and beer! Good luck with your schedule, I hope you're able to get some "me time" just so you can decompress.

Today was fun - went to the zoo with the family and was there for over 4 hours. I'm sure there's more than a few miles walked in 85 degree heat and carrying a 35 pound 2 year old! LOL That's my workout for the day. Had an absolute blast - Madeline was so excited. We brought our own lunch so we didn't splurge. It was a great day overall.

How is everyone else doing?

Dancer: the vacation plans sound good!! and definitely a good motivator for losing the pounds I've always wanted to visit Africa. I'm sure you'll have a blast!

Maddiesmom: Ohh! The zoo! Bet that was fun! And carrying the 2 year-old for hours: helluva workout!

Well I've just finished my very last monday morning shift. I'm finishing my summer job (selling designer sunglasses in a shop) on saturday and already counting the days! I'm looking forward to catching up on sleep, eating properly again (the bakery next to the shop is way too tempting! :/) and re-booting my exercise regime hopefully then I can reach my goal of 147 by 1st of September!

Hope you're all having a goody day!

Vicky and Dance-Just Dance is a WII game, its has like 20 or 30 different songs and you dance along with the character. Its fun and a good workout.

Vicky-saw all your pics on FB, you look great. Bet that felt good to get all those compliments. Congrats for getting to 195, you are gonna catch me. Just take it one lb at a time and if you get to 175 and want to keep going go ahead. You will know when you are done.

Staccie-didnt make it to the beach, maybe sometime this week. Good luck with your new plan, you can do it.

Dance-didnt match you for miles yesterday but I will get a walk in today. Your vacation sounds amazing. That should keep you on plan.

Katy-having a bakery next door would be too tempting.

Didnt walk yesterday but want to later today. Its finally cooling off some so I can probably go earlier. Im gonna put in Just Dance and dance today sometime too.

Might go to another pow wow this weekend but we arent sure yet. Its like 3 hours away and not sure we are up for riding that long to stay overnight.

Hope everyone is having a good Monday.

maddiesmom - it's hard to know what your goal should be when you start - I think it's interesting that so many of us make adjustments along the way. You are just doing so great - it's fun to watch you succeed! Your SIL's honeymoon sounds amazing! And yes, my bf is going with me. He's a great partner on these wild and crazy trips we go on.

katylil - looks like you're completely on track for making your goal - nice job! I can't remember - do you start school again in the fall? The UK semester starts in late sept/early october, right? What will you do with the time in between?

burgundy - I'm going to try to fit in a walk today too - maybe we can keep each other company virtually

Dance: Yeah, it's kinda complicated. I grew up in Spain, so I'm not entirely sure how most universities work, but at mine, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years start back the first week of September (the 6th this year) and get all settled in before the 1st years arrive around the 3rd week of September (I think it's the 19th they all turn up this year). I'm flying back from home (Spain) to UK on the 2nd of september, which is why I want to reach that mini-goal by the 1st!

Burgundy: Just Dance sounds like fun!! I wish we had a wii. There are a whole load of new workout/dancey type of games coming out that look pretty good!

Hi ladies...hope your Monday has been good. It was a busy day for me but I did make it to the gym for a good workout this morning and although I didn't resist some cookies (I was obsessing over them), I did keep it to a minimum. I need to celebrate those successes rather than focus on the fact I had them. But I need a semi-healthy snack in the afternoon so I bought some fibre one bars and keep them in my car so I don't binge on them

Dance - Africa - so nice! A friend of mine just got back from working the world cup. And that is something awesome to look forward to!

Vicky - so happy for you and your loss - can't wait to share some of that feeling!!

Burgandy - that just dance program sounds good...I've been thinking about adding some fun things into my workout and I love dancing - I should invest in that. I did pow wow's when I worked in Yellowknife (way up north) - I thought they were amazing

Kaytil - nice to 'meet you'

Well I'm off to bed, it's only 8PM but I can't stay awake anymore..got to get used to getting up at 5AM for the gym again!!

Oh PS - against my better judgement I went to a new hair salon and she butchered my beautiful long hair - I think I have to cut it all off - which to be honest is probably for the better since it's so dead. Kind of excited for a change and to have healthy hair again - no more highlights - going to stick to my natural color and just get my roots done...I can't afford it anymore

And while I am getting busy at the gym so much, shorter hair might be a blessing!

staccie - you have such a pretty, slim face that I bet you can get away with any haircut. And started fresh is nice sometimes - all the maintenance of keeping up with complicated color is a drag. I bet it was a little traumatic though at first right after the cut - sorry about that. How did getting up early for the gym go?

I got tons of sleep last night and it made such a difference to my outlook, phew. I'm re-energized and ready to tackle my long long list of work to-dos. Heading out for a walk shortly - who's with me for miles today?

Staccie: Sorry about your hair - it's always tough finding a new hairdresser. I had a lady totally screw mine up, so I had to drive nearly 2 hours to my old hairdresser so she could fix it! I think you could definitely pull off a shorter look though. Glad you made it to the gym.

Dance: I wish I could get a super good night's sleep. There's always something keeping me up though. I would totally do miles if it weren't so crappy here weather-wise. May take Maddie out to play if it's not raining when I get home.

Burgundy: Thanks for the compliments on the FB pics - yep taking pictures isn't as horrible an experience as it once was. I can see I'm getting there, but some of it's being hidden by the shirt I had on. I'll take it though! I was shocked to be at 195 - it was a good surprise though. We'll get to the 180's soon! Let's keep each other motivated!

Katylil: Sorry your pics on the other thread you started - you look beautiful!! Have you planned on how you are going to incorporate your new, healthier lifestyle when you go back to school? How did the elliptical go?

So, I'm back to working out with Jeff tomorrow. I'm going to try and do his class 3 days a week, with ARP as a back up if I need it. The other days I'm going to do workouts from home and/or walk. The bugs by us have been horrible, so it's hard to get outside at night.

Food has been good - just went to the store and bought some healthier snacks. How is everyone else doing?

katylil - maddiesmom is totally right - you are gorgeous! Look at that tiny waist!

Got in a great walk but am not too happy about TOM. Oh, well.

maddiesmom - what did you get for snacks? I need some new ideas...

Hi all...well I did not make it up this morning - and holy crow am I ever sore. But TOM is early which explains why I have been so tired, so I will go tomorrow even if for light cardio. Still doing good eating - had some butternut soup -very good.

Looking forward to the haircut...got some ideas of some different styles.

Vicky - yes would love to hear about the snacks..I'm stuck on fibre one bars...love em!

Tomorrow is my weigh in day but since TOM is here think I will wait until Sunday.