Originally Posted by opheliaphoenix:
Chickadee - Thanks! And, no...I still haven't made my trek up to the city yet, either. I had some unexpected dental stuff come up this week, and DH got a speeding ticket (:frypan:!), so funds have been a little tighter this month. I'm still wanting to start my c25k on the 1st, and I would hate to put it off over shoes, so I will probably just start it out with my old shoes (which I've literally had since PE classes in HS...eep!) for the first week or so. I will still want to get new shoes before getting too far into it, though, so Ill be trying to make my way to the store ASAP.

How have you been liking the program so far? Has it seemed manageable/difficult/etc?

Eeek, sorry about the dental problems! Those aren't ever fun. If you do get to the store for shoes before I do, please post and let me how it goes!

The program... hmmm. Well, I think the jury is still out for me. I think the program is a good one - I am seeing improvements already - but I'm not sure I'll ever like running or get to the point where I feel reasonably comfortable doing it.

The first day I tried it was terrible - I made the mistake of trying to do it in my neighborhood, and between jogging too fast in the first run intervals and the hills, I was just dying. I couldn't make it through all the runs. So I re-did Day 1 a few days later on the treadmill at the gym (with a slight incline), and that was much more manageable. Since then I've done both the treadmill and outside (on a mostly flat path that runs around the football & baseball fields at a local middle school), and have noticed that my gait feels more comfortable and natural (and therefore my legs don't get as tired) when I jog at a faster pace, but my lungs have trouble keeping up at the faster pace. For me, the faster pace is around 5mph (outside), and the slower pace is more like 4.3mph (on the treadmill). So still really slow either way, lol. Going from week 1 to week 2 felt ok. I liked the longer run intervals better (because there were fewer of them! :lol:), even though the by the last one I was really beat.

I feel like the program is helping to improve my cardiovascular fitness and is definitely helping me move toward the point where I could jog with more stamina, but I'm just not sure I could ever really enjoy doing this. Right now it's still too hard for me to enjoy it (especially compared to my brisk, much longer walks on the treadmill with increasing incline, which I truly enjoy), and what's getting me through right now is that I don't want to quit and really want to have the ability to run someday.

I hope I'm not scaring you off by giving you an idea of how it's working for me. I should note that I have never been a runner, at all, and always disliked cardio everything in the past. I dreaded having to run the mile in high school, and had a lot anxiety over it despite the fact that I was much fitter and thinner back then and could actually get through a mile without stopping. I just hated it. So, if you're someone who has ever enjoyed jogging at all in the past, or even just didn't mind it, you will probably enjoy doing the program a whole lot more than I am. I definitely hope you do, and I really look forward to hearing about how it goes for you. :)

chickadee32 I am really wanting to start some kind of cardio program. I too have never really been a cardio person, but I would just like for once in my life be physically fit enough to run a 5k if I so choose. Does it help you to stay motivated. I could really use some motivation this week :cb:

Ms Perception Glad to see you are getting out and walking. I would love to be able to do that. Just has I thought it was turning spring we got another snow. I just have had no motivations for anything for myself this week.

My week has had many ups and downs this week. The good news is that I finally got a contract at work I am now officially the Quality Programs Assistant. Has been crazy with meetings and learning all the systems. It has not been good for my health this week though, have been so very tired haven't been to the gym not even once, and the cold weather did not help with the motivation factor. I have not eaten clean this week either has not been crazy bad but just not where I know it should be. Have been eating soup from the crock-pot lots of veggies but think it must be a little high in salt since my weight is up to 203 today :?: So needless to say I have to work really hard for the rest of this week and next to get to my goal.. Still have 4 lbs to lose now. Help! Help! somebody please :)

Hope everyone else is having a wonderful week :) I will check in again tomorrow.

Check In Time :)
Thanks everybody for all the support. My Food Program still isn't a 100%, but the behaviors are :carrot:

Hope you're having a great day!

march is a slow going month :( My own fault I have really been lacking the mojo lately...
Down 4.5 pounds this month 1.5 left to meet my monthly goal I think I might be able to do that:D crossing my fingers haha

Check In Time
Still not 100% - but everyday seems a little better.
Hope you are having a good day!

SW 196.2lb
CW 185
GW 185.1lb

Yay mission accomplished! Even though I was hoping for a wooosh this week, and it didn't happen, I'm very happy with the months work as a whole. If I can keep this up for the next few months, I could be skinny by July/August, bring it on!

Mystical - I think it could be good for motivation. It motivated me because I didn't want to let myself quit, lol. If you're not a cardio person, though, maybe just start with some long, brisk walks (outside or on a treadmill)? For me, that was a much easier way to get started... but I had a LOT of improving to do, and I'm sure you have much less. :)

susiemartin - Great job making improvements every day!! I'm not sure any of us is EVER at 100%... there are ALWAYS things we can improve upon. Just working toward our goals every day is an accomplishment.

carved - Sending will power dust your way, and I will keep my fingers crossed for you!!

takingcontrol - Congratulations on meeting your March goal!!! :carrot: That's fantastic!

MsP - Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you. I hope you're doing ok. :hug:



Edit: I have nothing new to report, lol. Weight is up by about a pound, which is no doubt water weight as I've been exercising and have been within my calorie range but a) have had way too much sodium the past few days, and b) am likely also retaining some water in sore muscles. I am patiently waiting for it to drop back down, and as long as that happens by my last weigh-in this month I'll be happy. :) I did decide to stop doing C25K, which was a hard decision (I didn't want to "quit") but the right one I think. It's just too much strain on my body and is causing me more anxiety than it's worth right now (and I burn more calories with my incline walking anyway!). I will add some jogging to my walks on the treadmill at my own pace after my legs heal a bit and when it feels right.

Check In Time
A much better day :)

Check In Time

The scale is starting to move downwards :carrot:

Planning for an OP day.
Hope your day is a good one too!

Well TOM is here again at the end of the month booo!
I'll weigh in later this week I think I may still get to my 6lb loss for the month:D

After getting a couple hours of sleep this afternoon I am down to 243.4 lbs, which is 0.3 lbs from goal. Almost there... keeping my fingers crossed that I can make it down that last little bit over the next few days.

Check In Time
Yesterday was OP - planning for another one day.

Hope your day is a good one too!

Weight is down to 242.9 lbs this morning, which puts me past my March goal of 243.1 lbs. :D

Congrats Chickadee32! :D

Ms Perception: Rejoin WW and attend meetings, Lose 5 lbs
dcapulet: Lose 6 lbs
Ronnie85: Lose 10 lbs
chickadee32: Lose 10 lbs
Lekhika: Lose 6 lbs
taking control: Lose 5 kg
NightAngel26: Lose 10 lbs
opheliaphoenix: Lose 9.4 lbs
Kristen81985: Reach 139 lbs
P H A T: Lose 6 lbs
Our Lady Bonbon: Lose 10 lbs, Fit into dress for Les Mis
Alicia87: Lose 5 lbs
Ju5tdoit: Lose 5 lbs
carvedmarmalade: Lose 6 lbs
Claudine: Lose 8 lbs
TheBunneh: Reach 164 lbs
surrendertolis: Reach 195 lbs
slimlizzie2: Lose 7 lbs
fauxtini: No binges, Make healthy food choices, Sign on to 3FC and post everyday
VickieLou: Lose 11.2 lbs
juliagulia: Lose 5 lbs
kleemandy: Reach 180 lbs
susiemartin: Check-in daily, Go for a walk daily (no matter how short)
oklahomachick26: Lose 10 lbs
Jonni: Reach 215 lbs
mydearthing: Lose 5 lbs
JasonsLea: Lose 8 lbs
Aclai067: Lose 6 lbs
rosetta: Lose 10 lbs
LouisaH: Reach 145 lbs
BBWDIVA28: Lose 9 lbs
xLindsay46: Lose 5 lbs
mystical: Lose 3 lbs

So sorry for being MIA this past week and a half. My grandma died last Monday, so we headed down to be with my family for a few days. It was a good visit and my grandpa seems to be doing well, so it wasn't tense or difficult. We are just blessed with countless wonderful memories of my grandma and she will be dearly missed, but we're thankful she's not in pain anymore.
I passed my test Monday, so there's a huge weight off my shoulders there! It was a kind of emotional day, getting the call about my grandma at 2 a.m. and then taking my test at 10:45 a.m. The good Lord gave me the strength to deal with it all and it went well.
Next week we go down for the memorial service for my other grandma. I wasn't as close with her, but we wanted to be there for my dad and say "goodbye".
My eating has been a disaster since last Monday, so I am nowhere close to reaching my March goal anymore. I'm disappointed in myself for being so out of control, but I went to WW yesterday to stop the downward spiral and get my head back in the game. Today is not going to be OP with my bowling banquet at lunch and going out to my DD's favorite restaurant (it's her b-day) for supper, but I got up and exercised this morning and ate a light, healthy breakfast. I am going to plan healthy meals for the rest of the week and stick to the plan. I can do this. I don't know why I let things derail me so easily.

takingcontrol - Thank you! :)

susiemartin - Congrats on the OP days, and seeing the scale move downward! You're doing such a great job of checking in regularly.

carved - Boo for TOM... but even if it impacts the scale, you still know you're moving down and will see the loss when the TOM water weight goes away.

MsP - I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. It is tough emotionally no matter what, but I am glad there is comfort in spending time with your family and knowing that your grandmother is no longer in any pain. :hug:

Also, huge congratulations to you on passing your test, even with all of the other stresses you've experienced the past month! I'm so pleased for you, as I know you worked very hard to prepare for this exam - it really paid off! And I agree with Ophelia - I think it's totally understandable that you haven't been on plan the last week or so. As important as our health and weight loss are, there are times other things just need our attention more and weight loss has to take a back set for a short while. I'm glad to hear that you're hopping right back into it now that some of the stressors have eased. :)

Ophelia - I hope I didn't scare you off at all re C25K, lol. Even though I stopped doing the program, I am still glad that I did try it. I'll really be looking forward to hearing about how it goes for you, and I hope you enjoy it a lot! I look learning from your experiences so that I have a little more knowledge going into it the second time around. :) And down three pounds past your goal for March.... WOW!! That is really big loss for the month! Congratulations on seeing all that work pay off... that low number on the scale is SUCH a nice reward. :)



So, not weight-loss related... but I had my qualifying exam for my PhD program this afternoon, and I passed!!!! I was truly terrified I was going to fail, and I am so.freaking.relieved. So now, I am officially a "PhD candidate" rather than a "PhD student". :D Now I just to keep myself in control calorie-wise when I go out to celebrate later tonight... :lol:

chickadee-:congrat: That's incredible! :dancer: And thanks for the encouragement...we'll see how much I can bounce back in these last 2 days of the month.

ophelia-Thank you also for your supportive words. It makes it so much easier to climb back on the wagon when there are people giving me a hand up!

P.S. I posted the April thread if anyone's ready with next month's goals

Ms Perception: Rejoin WW and attend meetings, Lose 5 lbs
dcapulet: Lose 6 lbs
Ronnie85: Lose 10 lbs
chickadee32: Lose 10 lbs
Lekhika: Lose 6 lbs
taking control: Lose 5 kg
NightAngel26: Lose 10 lbs
opheliaphoenix: Lose 9.4 lbs
Kristen81985: Reach 139 lbs
P H A T: Lose 6 lbs
Our Lady Bonbon: Lose 10 lbs, Fit into dress for Les Mis
Alicia87: Lose 5 lbs
Ju5tdoit: Lose 5 lbs
carvedmarmalade: Lose 6 lbs
Claudine: Lose 8 lbs
TheBunneh: Reach 164 lbs
surrendertolis: Reach 195 lbs
slimlizzie2: Lose 7 lbs
fauxtini: No binges, Make healthy food choices, Sign on to 3FC and post everyday
VickieLou: Lose 11.2 lbs
juliagulia: Lose 5 lbs
kleemandy: Reach 180 lbs
susiemartin: Check-in daily, Go for a walk daily (no matter how short)
oklahomachick26: Lose 10 lbs
Jonni: Reach 215 lbs
mydearthing: Lose 5 lbs
JasonsLea: Lose 8 lbs
Aclai067: Lose 6 lbs
rosetta: Lose 10 lbs
LouisaH: Reach 145 lbs
BBWDIVA28: Lose 9 lbs
xLindsay46: Lose 5 lbs
mystical: Lose 3 lbs

Oh my goodness, I stepped into a black hole this month. There's still some of it on the bottom of my shoe. I have had a decadent month, and was up to 154.6 a week ago, but I caught some little stomach thing over the weekend and ended up at 148.4 yesterday, which is a truly amazing thing. I did some circuit training yesterday, which always makes me retain some water weight, but I am still at 149.8, and I'm praying I can stay under 150.

MsP, my condolences on your grandmothers, both close and not-so-close. It's hard to just move on when there's a big chunk of your life missing. I think being in control is one of the things that help us move forward through the grief, when we're ready. Super big congratulations on passing that test, it must have been hard that morning.

Chickadee--congrats to you on your test. Wowza, that's awesome!

Ophelia--Hooray for you! If that's not a good reminder to DEstress, I don't know what is!

susiemartin--glad to see your back to your old OP self!

Hope everyone else is doing swell, and thanks MsP for starting the April (what? April?) thread. I'll post there at the start of the month. I'm sure I'll have the same hated goal of trying to reach 145...but not really caring enough to make it happen. What is my damage?

Check In Time
Ms. P - I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. You and your family have my prayers and sincere sympathy.

Today has been OP.

Yesterday was OP and today is going well. I'll use tomorrow morning's weight to gauge my March weight loss, sad as it may be.

susiemartin-Thank you and congrats on getting back OP. I'm with you in that struggle.

LouisaH-Thanks and I'm glad you bounced back down and accomplished staying under 150.

MsP and Louisa, thank you!

Final weigh-in this morning was 242.3, which is bs because I was at 241.4 the past two days, and I was on plan both days. Water retention due to TOM, exercise, sodium or something. At least it's still under my goal; total of 10.8 lbs lost in March if I use today's number. I refuse to change my ticker to reflect water weight though, lol.

Congratulations to everyone who achieved their goals this month!!

I've been so busy I forgot to check in... .5lb off for my March goal 5.5lbs total loss still not bad considering I was all over the place. Here I come April :D