Wow - miss a few days, and suddenly the challenge thread has more than doubled in size!

The time change plus allergies are killing me. I just can't wake up in the morning.

Anyway, the scale was down this morning (hooray!). I did alright over the weekend as far as eating goes, but not really any exercise. Yesterday was good all around, except for not being able to wake up and blowing my nose and rubbing my eyes constantly.

I'm going to slowly incorporate my additional exercise into my schedule. This week, I'll work on increasing the weights for lifting and sneaking in some time on the treadmill, along with going to Curves every day. For today, I have Curves and LB workout.

Have a lovely day, all you ckickies!

its Tuesday morning and I'm at work eating my home made veggie navy bean soup. After that I will have a huge mug of hot green tea.
yesterday I stayed true to my diet, and even got out and walked for 20 min.
I like having soup for breakfast so when I make a huge batch, I put a couple scoops of soup in a styrofoam cup and cover with foil and freeze them. When I bring then to work still frozen I just remove the foil and heat in the microwave right in the styrofoam cup. Its great.
hope everyone has a wonderful day..

I am really glad that I chose this group. You gals are really on target. I scouted out threads for awhile, and some just chatted, without mentioning a thing about weight loss, fitnes, or health. Kudos to you! :D It will take a little while to get to know everyone though!

Well, yesterday, I kept a food diary of everything I ate. I think I figured out my problem. I don't eat enough during the day. It sure felt like I did. But, even after dinner, I had only 1100 calories. :o Then, of course, the evening munchies kicked in. :devil: Today I'm trying to even things out more. Breakfast was 3/4 c Kashi Good Friends, sliced banana, wheat germ, and soy milk. Lunch I am planning on a sandwich and some veggies. Dinner, I am making ocean perch and of course, veggies. Maybe a sweet potato, depending on my numbers. I guess I'll squeeze in an afternoon snack of yogurt and an apple.

I really did some walking yesterday too. I walked both in the morning and evening. I wear a pedometer, and got over 10,000 steps. That is my record so far! I like to break 8,000 every day. But, of course, it was easy to find the time yesterday, I was off of work. Likewise today. Tomorrow will be interesting. "Vacations over".

I suppose I'd better get busy. Have a good day everyone!

Julie - you're doing fine!! :) Even if you haven't lost any #s, check those measurements!!!!

Lisa - *huge hugs!* That's the attitude, girl!! :D :D :D!!! YOU GOT IT!! Nothing can stop you now!!

Everybody who congratulated me (too many names to list!) thank you!! :) I totally appreciate it!!

The first meal of day 1 of my almost-no-carb plan is going well!! I think lunch will be some veggies & meat. I am uber energized right now, too. Score! :D Protein rush!! aah!!

Food today:

B - 3 eggs (deviled)
S - Carrots if I get hungry
L - Veggies & lunch meat, rolled up
S - Moooore veggies!
D - Taco salad, perhaps? If I have grnd beef. If not, then hot dogs. (no bun).

My bike is officially -screwed-, so no more biking for me. *sob* Oh, well. If I end up losing a few lbs on my new diet over the next couple of weeks, that's okay.

Soo... workout for today:

10 min stepper w/ weights
Balance Ball tape (since I have no bike!)
600 situps (I'm upping it. My goal for situps is 1000/day, EVERY DAY, from now until the day I am so superly pregnant (this is a few years, mind you), that I cannot do them).

So... I think I'm doing okay! I may convince the hubby to head over to our apt.'s workout center tonight and do a couple miles on a treadmill while I do something there. *shrug* Probably just end up going on a walk.

Either way, I'm doing good, and I FEEL good.

I am drinking Crystal Light this morning, because I totally forgot to put the water bottles in the fridge last night, and our tap water tastes like soap. EW. So... CL for this morning, water for later. No biggie. :) I've already downed over 16 oz of flavored (sugar free!) water today.

Also, because I have no bike, I decided that today I would actually DO the cleaning that I mentioned yesterday. Mwuahaha!! I have this nasty little habit of getting up at 9:30-10, watching ER for 2 hours on TNT (i used to love that show...), and then working out afterwards, which presses me for time and kinda drives me nuts. THe TV is on right now, but I think I am gonna switch to music and do my workout to that. Then vaccum, sweep, mop, dishes, laundry & let that beautiful Seattle sunshine in my windows!! YAY!!!

4 tapes again, today, so a decent workday for me, still. I think I may create some form of new tank top for myself, today. I have some extra fabric lying around, and I have a great idea for a kind of peasant-style tank top, with buttons up the front to close it, perhaps. Or maybe down the back... hmm... I am weird. :D :P :D

A little discouraged
 

Hi everybody,
I must say that I haven't attained my exercise goal... I've only had one slip on the food plan, though.

I had hoped to lose 3 pounds by Easter, but I've only lost a half pound so far. Hey, it's better than gaining, or even staying the same... But, I"m jsut not motivated to do the exercise. I'm thinking more & more of joining the gym, though. I remember last time I joined... I actually went for 4 months straight! :strong: And, truly loved it......

Anyway, I'm still hanging in & reading how well everyone is doing does encourage me. Thanks guys for all your input here, it's great!!

Stef :crazy:

Tuesday check-in
 

Hey chickies! I'm just nursing a bit of a funk from this morning..dunno what dark cloud settled over me. I swear, I know what I'm supposed to be doing..why aren't I doing it???? Grr...need to kick it up. Ankle should not be that big an excuse...

Tonight hubby has to work late, which is perfect for me. Go home, fill up my sports bottle with crystal light, and another big glass. Do the FIRM UB tape which is a lot- I want to feel jello arms after that. Then, the bike. No excuses. I can pedal harder with the left foot & let the right ankle not do so much of the work, but I can't let things continue. I need to be active. No more being lazy. No more sleeping in. If I can't get my tush to bed early, then it's my own fault if I'm tired in the morning. Exercise cannot be pushed back. Sorry- not accepting this complacent attitude anymore.

Dinner will probably be chicken breast of a cube steak with green beans or waxed beans- or, if I work out hard, I won't be that hungry, and then I'll do something small, like a sandwich, instead of feeling overly bloated & distended.

Ok...time to leave my love notes:

Mel: How is everything working out today? Or should I say working it's way out? :lol: ((Mom2))

Lucia: sounds like a great family dinner coming up!

Julie: Do you keep a count of how many eggs you hide? If one gets left behind, ewww! LOL Always fun to try to find it after the fact :devil:

Angel: Your goals look really good- excellent work!

Lisa: No fair! You still get a spring break! :p I'm jealous. Good to see your spirits up, chickie.

2sw33t: Way to go on the loss! Sorry to hear your allergies are bothering you.

Partytime: Oh man, is that eyeball freaky! LOL. Soup sounds yummy, though. What else is in it besides navy beans?

Joy: everything looks good. I'm glad you joined us, too. There's a lot of social interaction, but first & foremost, we're here fighting the good fight (most of the time) and then developing great, supportive friendships.

Lucy: I swear, girl- you are going to have abs of titanium dipped in steel if you do 1000 situps a day. You'll be this tiny slip of a girl with abs you could bounce a medicine ball off of! :lol: Or a bowling ball ;) You go, girlie.

Stef: I am in the same mode right now- I need to get my exercise goal in. Arrrgh- I feel like I'm spinning my wheels a little bit. Tonight, no excuses, I need to move my butt. Want to partner up & try to keep each other focused? I know I need some extra prodding for some reason- don't know where I put my focus down, but I seem to have misplaced it. Gotta get back to it, right?

Ok ladies- I'll peek in after I sweat up a storm. Gotta, gotta, gotta do it. NO excuses. If anyone sees me online after 6pm, grill me- I have to be panting & sweating, or I'll let you all have a turn with the tazer :devil:

Have an in-control Tuesday, ladies!

Update: Ok... yeah. Guess my tummy can't handle 600 situps all at once quite yet, hehe. I stopped at 400, but I did OVER 12 MINUTES on my stepper with the weights!!

I won't be able to pick up anything later, I'm certain. *G* It's better than feeling crappy,though!! IT IS!!

I decided to post my measurements, because I haven't lost any actual POUNDS for a few weeks, now. Like... 3 or 4, I think. Blech!! BUT I have been losing in the other areas, like inches. :)

Previous Measurements (as of 3/10)
CHEST: 37 inches
STOMACH: 39 inches
WAIST: 39 inches
HIPS: 43 inches
LEFT SIDE CALF: 16 inches
LEFT SIDE ANKLE: 10.5 inches
LEFT SIDE THIGH: 27 inches
LEFT UPPER ARM: 16 inches
LEFT LOWER ARM: 10 inches
RIGHT SIDE CALF: 17 inches
RIGHT SIDE ANKLE: 10 inches
RIGHT SIDE THIGH: 26 inches
RIGHT UPPER ARM: 15 inches
RIGHT LOWER ARM: 10 inches

TODAY'S measurements (4/6):

CHEST: 35 <?!?!>
STOMACH: 34 !!
WAIST: 33
HIPS: 40 (I measured wrong last time, and it was actually somewhere like 44)
LEFT SIDE CALF: 16
LEFT SIDE ANKLE: 8
LEFT SIDE THIGH: 22 (WOW!)
LEFT UPPER ARM: 12.5
LEFT LOWER ARM: 9
RIGHT SIDE CALF: 16
RIGHT SIDE ANKLE: 8
RIGHT SIDE THIGH: 22 (geez!)
RIGHT UPPER ARM: 12
RIGHT LOWER ARM: 8

Okay, wow. I seriously did not think I had lost that much!! WOW!!!! Holy criminey!!! :D I'm proud of myself, now. *G*

Okay, I added those up, and it appears that I've lost a total of 48 inches?! What?! Can I even -do- that?! Did I do that wrong? Somebody else check the math and tell me what you got. :)

Anyway... now that I've posted my beginning measurements, let's see what happens after 2 weeks on my new weird-carb diet. Basically, I just don't get bread, potatoes, pasta or ice cream-type stuff for 2 weeks.

I wonder how much I'll lose on this. If it works, I just may have to stay on it for awhile. *G*

Jennifer - Haha!! Yeah, I gave up after 400. It huuurts!! And my arms are jello already... very very limp. :D I love it!! I kinda -am- hoping to be that tiny slip of a girl, tho. I used to be little and cute, and I won't give up until I get there. I want to go on 15-mile hikes again and be the leader of the pack, even IF that means I keep my giant calves!! :D Better to be healthy and weird lookin' than unhealthy and weird lookin'. :D

Hey Jennifer, Yeah, the eye is cool isn't it? I am a huge Tool fan, and so that is the Tool Third eye, and the song for that is on the Aenima album, track 15.
And the avatar is of Maynard James Keenan singer/ lyrics/ front man for Tool.

the bean soup. I soak my beans for at least 24 hrs. and then drain all the water off and rince, add new water and start cooking. in a different
dutch oven I begin to saute chopped onion, red pepper, green onion,
garlic cloves, black pepper, and I like to add one can of Itialian stewed tomatos blended. and then I add this stuff to the beans and keep cooking.
I try to have 1/2 cup of dried beans every day, usually for breakfast, and truly, your body gets use to eating beans and will be able to digest them as time goes on. I eat them because they have no cholseterol, and they will bring down your cholseterol. 1/2 cup has 7 grams of fiber, and they are low in fat, and provide protein, vitamins, minerals, and reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity, and Cancer. and I often get the canned beans, and I always rinse them and then use them in salads and in Whole wheat tortillas, or anyplace I can think of...
Generaly, I don't add any meat to my bean soups, no need to over kill the protein.

Jennifer, Thanks for Keeping up with all of the easter chicks
 

and your brood seems to be growing by the hour...

Anyway I just finished working out to Elle McPhearson's Personal Best tape..it's actually pretty good, aerobics and simple strength training...they play music from the 80's so I love that..Suicide Blonde for the warm up, Fields of Gold for the cool down.
I just started South Beach Saturday and so far I have been on track for meals this week but Today I am celebrating my 13th wedding anniversary and we are dining out....I know I will eat safely but the wine will be an issue!!!

I will post my measurements that I took today just to give myself a reference point for the end of the month
Waist 30.25
Hips 38
Thighs 23
Knees 16.25
Bust 39
Chest 37
Calves 14.5
Bicep 11

I gotta go bunny hop into the shower and get ready for DINNER!!!!

Happy Anniversary angel,
have a nice dinner out, and remember you can always diet tomorrow.. :lol:

Ok, change of plans.

I totally cannot handle no carbs. I started shaking, got really dizzy, and it's not cool. Oh, well. At least I tried. I'll be taking my stupid diet pills from now on, tho. :D

Hello Easter chicks!
I have had a full but ON-PLAN DAY!!! Hope you all have had the same. Very busy today and tomorrow is the eye Drs again. Hope this time they say OK MEL! one can only wish it so. Keep you fingers crossed. I just got in a little while ago and will read posts tomorrow night. take care and see you then. Gotta get ready for tomorrow and bed! Have a wonderful Wednesday!! Sweet dreams!

Ok, no tazer required! :)
 

Angel: Happy Anniversary & many, many more! Celebrate tonight...one meal does not make or break your healthy eating...just make the best choices you can...just do a little extra, um, working out ;)

Lucy: No carbs is a dangerous thing...the brain gets it's energy from carbohydrates- the muscles, from protein. No wonder you're getting dizzy. Better choices, chickie- whole grains, fruits, dense veggies...stuff like that. Be careful- I gotta worry about my SuperLucy and her Titanium Abs.

Mel: I'll send plenty of good wishes your way for a clean report from the eye doctor. ((good vibes)) I go back May 7- been wearing my "sexy wife glasses" as hubby has dubbed them, but I still prefer my contacts & want a new RX when I get back there. Even if I can only wear them 10 hours a day, sure beats sweat dripping onto your glasses & into your eyes, right?

Drum Roll Please....

I did it. I stopped my whining, got home, hit the potty (drinking your last 24oz at 4:45 does not make for a pleasant ride home :lol: ) and got changed. Wrapped the ankle nice & tight in the ace bandage, and laced the sneaker up around it. I did the 1 mile WATP- a little more gingerly on things like the side steps- but I did that, and then the 35 minute FIRM Upper Body tape- the only moves I can't do in that are the pushups, so I did stretching while I watched them do them... :smug: Arms are nice & wobbly now...I'm thinking tall glass of Crystal Light...and even considering doing the WATP again, since I missed it. Or the bike.

Dinner, I decided, will be chickarina soup, since hubby is going to be working even later than he was supposed to. He lost 2 hours of his day due to a car problem..the tow truck guy was able to fix the problem, which was a great turn of events, but still, deal with a crabby-butt husband 40 minutes away, when there's not a dang thing I can do except drive out there to pick him up & leave the car. Some days you just can't do anything right, you know? :dizzy:

Tomorrow is our semi-annual lunch with our processing center. OUr manager, who seems to gravitate towards italian for EVERY SINGLE EVENT has planned a 12-noon lunch meet & greet at "Palm Beach Pizza." I'm already thinking about what I can actually have, without making sure 40 pairs of eyes aren't staring at me while I pick at things, or try to bypass stuff. I'm thinking that minestrone soup can't be horrible...or pasta e fagioli. Skip the bread/butter/garlic rolls...and hopefully there's chicken parmesan that I can work with, or a spaghetti with meat sauce or meatballs. I might be a little over on that meal, since I won't have exact #s, but I can get close. Cut back a little on breakfast tomorrow, and then anything else that needs to be adjusted, I can deal with at dinner. Lots of water once we get back, too. Not on the 50+ minute trip up, or back, or I'll be dancing all the way. Wee wee dance!!!! :o

Ok...time to update this in the journal, and then, see what other activity I can fall into without hurting myself.

Okay... somethin is wrong with me. Not sure what, exactly, but something for sure. (see actual journal for details).

I'm going to call my -real- doctor tomorrow instead of the idiots at the Planned Parenthood here, because the last time I went they didn't even LOOK at me. I hope it's okay. I'm sure it is... probably just something small, like my patch in the wrong spot. Blech.

Anyway... so since my TOM is here (for no apparant reason, as I'm ON THE PATCH and I put a new one on this morning?), I have no energy left and I feel like a big pile of crap. Dinner tonight is supposed to be tacos or something, bu we'll see what happens. Hafta go shopping, too... so maybe it'll be tomorrow's dinner instead.

I've got some food-swapping ideas to think about... hope you guys have a good night!! :D

Tues Pm check in
 

Hi chickies...
a quick post before DD & DH get home from their errands and find me on my 3FC site rather than cleaning up the kitchen, which is what I said I was going to do when they left! ;)

Since I didn't work out this morning and DH wanted the bike when I did, and it is a beautiful evening here (upper 50's is beautiful in early April in Michigan!), I told DD she could ride her bike while I did a walk around the neighborhood! She was thrilled! Two nights in a row (I forgot to report that in my post last night, that we did a short little walk around the block while she pedaled her bike)...she MUST have died and went to heaven! Where did they take her Mom and who is this other person who is full of energy and wants to "play" outside??? LOL! Anyway...tonight it was a brisker walk since I figured out how fast she can go (much faster than I can walk or "jog") so I just walked as fast as I could...probably did about a mile, which isn't bad. I had to stop a few times and rescue her as her wheels would catch on the top gravel which they put on our streets last summer...YUCK! I'm pretty sure by the end of the summer, she will be riding without training wheels and maybe we can actually do a family ride on the nearby bike trail around a local lake! That would be fun!

Well, that was a long winded paragraph! Sorry...I guess you don't need my life history ;) ...just the facts of the day, maam! ;)

So you got the exercise low-down. Now for the food. I think I was pretty much on target with everything and I am currently sucking down my 5th 16 oz. glass of water for the day...there will be more to come, I'm sure! I'm very thirsty at night!

B-fast was not great, but within #'s: 1/2 cup coffee w/ 1 T low carb (love that stuff) Hazelnut creamer, 3 oz. deli turkey, 1/2 cup grapes (sorry, all I had time for) (2P, l.5 C)

Lunch: 1/2 cup pasta, 1/2 cup veggie sauce, 2T Parmesan cheese, 1 oz. mozz. cheese, 3 oz. chicken, 1/2 grapefruit...WOW...that was a lot! (2.5 C, 4 P, 2F)

Snack: 3 Lorna Doone cookies & 6 almonds (3C, 1.5F)

Supper: 3 oz. Roast Beef & about 2 T gravy (homemade...are you on your way, Jennifer?), a dollop of mashed potatoes made w/ sourcream & butter, 1 cup steamed gr. beans & carrots! Yummy! (2C, 3P, 5 or 6F)

I just added up my #'s and I think I am under in the carb & protein....did I do something wrong? And even if I include an extra fat in the cheese at lunch, I'm still under in the fat! Hmmmm! I don't feel one bit hungry!

Maybe I can have a nice snack tonight when I watch TV. I have some yummy strawberries waiting to be eaten...and some cottage cheese...Yummy!

So, now to the really good stuff: I was a bit afraid to weigh today, but I did anyway...I just figured if I didn't lose, I wouldn't post it, but guess what? DUH! I'm posting, so that must mean I lost! Yes! One whole pound! So now, I'm officially down 10.5 lbs! I am so excited. If I lose two more lbs. this week, I will be in the 160's! So cool! I don't remember being there in over 10 years...probably more like 15!! DH is noticing the changes and told me tonight what a great job I am doing! It's nice tohear it from him! I know he gets tired of me being on this site all the time, but I really do get a lot out of it!

You all rock, sistahs! All of you are doing so awesome...and no need for the tazer to be brought out today! (LISA... :smug: ) YEA to all of you. :encore:


WTG Jennifer on the exercise today! Glad you got "un-funked"! That's never good to be in that frame of mind...and how could you lead if you were all "funked" up? Sorry! Had to go there! Chickie you are doing awesome, but please take good care of that ankle! Is it still hurting? BTW, I'm back to typing normal and the finger seems to be healing (like hubby said! ;) )
Good luck on the lunch tomorrow. I am starting to dislike very much pizza! :( Can't have much of it and I love it sooo much! :?:

Lucy, don't get too dizzy and like Jennifer said, eat some carbs, girl! fruit, veggies...they all count! ;) I know I'd be dying with 600 sit ups....let alone 10! ;) So, Miss washboard stomach, you don't have to show off for us!! ;)

Angel, hope you had a great dinner and anniversary with hubby! We celebrate 11 years on the 24th of this month. Your goals look awesome, BTW! Hey, I noticed you are from Michigan also...what part? Were you on the last challenge or is this a different Angel?

Stef...you need to get your rear in gear, chickie! Go exercise! If you don't watch out, Lisa or Jennifer will get that tazer out and use it! They mean business, too! Watch out! ;)

Dolphin...we are glad you are here! It is an awesome group and I have learned so much about eating and exercise from all these chickies! Your food and exercise sound like you are doing good! Keep posting. It helps!

Partytime...soup sounds good. I make that sometimes. It's so good! I don't do beans too often, but need to, I guess!

I need to finish this and get DD in bed and get the kitchen cleaned up! Yuck! I don't want to! (*stomps feet and pouts*)

Hugs to all!

Lol
 

...on the "quick" post! I think that's a record! Sorry for that!
Julie

Hi All!!! I am about to give you a good report on my day, and it feels SO GOOD!!!!! I am right on target with my WW points (exactly 22), I have drank at least 72 oz. of water (Julie -- Are you proud of me???:) ), and I got in a lot of veggies and fiber!!

I am especially proud, because today I told my boys that they could pick where they wanted to go for lunch, and guess where they picked -- McDonalds!!!! My ABSOLUTE WORST TRIGGER IN THE UNIVERSE!!! The fries were calling me, but I just got a regular hamburger!! I only ate a few fries - they were not really that good, which is great for me!!!!

I have not exercised, though. But, I really want to get on the bike while I read for a bit. I have some big time cramps, and the exercise has not appealed to me. But, I am headed that way (Jennifer, I promise you I will!!).

Hope you all have a great night!!!

I knew I wasn't finished!!

Julie - Way to go on the weight loss!!! Aww....I was really wanting to use that tazer on you :lol:!! Only teasing chickie. You are doing a terrific job, and are a great inspiration to me!!!

Lucy - I hope you can go to the doctor tomorrow. I am sorry to hear you are feeling unwell!! I'm sure the DR. can shed some light on what is going on with you. And, BTW, don't listen to the Shad comment on your journal. You have no reason to think you may not be able to have children. I thought I couldn't have any, and I have 3, and my DH just had a vasectomy!!!! So, don't worry so much about that, just try to get to feeling better chickie :)

Jennifer - I knew you would get moving!!! I agree with Julie that our fearless leader can't be "funked" up :lol: Sorry, couldn't resist either!!!!! Aren't we just soooo funny????? Good luck tomorrow at the lunch. Try to drink a big ole glass of water before you eat. You'll do great, I know you will.

Steph - I know how you feel about the exercise. I dread it so badly, but when I make myself do it, I end up feeling a lot better. Like Jennifer said, maybe we could really stick together to help motivate one another! What do you think???

Mel - Good luck at the Dr.'s tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you!!!

Joy - So glad you are here!!!

Angel - I just celebrated my 10th anniversary in March!! Congratulations!! Hope your evening is awesome!!

Partytime - I am like you, and I like to add beans to things, especially my taco meat for my taco salads. I also add beans to soups. Your soup sounds good. Way to go!!

O.K. - gotta run. Laundry's piled up!!! GRRRRR!!!!

Lucia, I love your name. I went to school with a Lucia and also worked with one during college and they were both very wonderful, unique people! Your quotes are so inspiring, too! Love them...keep them coming!

Okay... enough is freakin' enough!! *Stomps feet angrily* My stupid TOM started around 4:30 this afternoon. Then it quit completely at 7, right before we left for the store, and now it's threatening to come back. AAAGH!! That's it.

I am half dead, but I did load up on awesome fruits & veggies at the store!! I even found some on-sale steak for dinner tomorrow night for only $1.50. Score. :D

It's almost midnight, though, and I'm still up. *growl* I don't enjoy that. I am dead tired, and still have to make a 4-mile each way drive in the pitch black (and I'm sure it's started to rain, because it was nice today, so tomorrow has to be cold and rainy?).

Ugh. Dinner was... interesting. Ended up being about 3/4 cup cooked pasta w/ pesto sauce, 1 raspberry nutrigrain bar, and a couple handfuls of toffee peanuts. At least it was decently healthy.

I feel better now. We avoided the ice cream aisle altogether (aren't you proud, Jennifer?!), and the -worst- thing I bought in the whole store is tied between the sugar free jello (5 boxes!) and the fat-free coffee creamer I got so I can drink coffee in the morning. *G* Seriously, unless you count 3 apples or a lb of grapes... that's my big crime. My hubby even looked at the Easter candy, came back, and said "I'll be nice." Awww what a sweetie. :D He knew I was having a crappy day, and he avoided the chocolate for me. I love that man. :) :) :)

Other than that, water is on target (4 bottles @ 16.9 oz each), and I have 2 quick tapes left to do. After that, I'm making a quick trip to the unit, coming home, curling up in bed, and snuggling with the kitties. What a freaking day.

Lisa - Thanks. :) *hug* I know... I probably still can, as long as it happens when I'm healthy and not on a ton of meds -- that's what did it the 2nd time. First was because of birth control, last was just not meant to be. I'm thinking that the most likely situation is either a - cyst, or b - tubal miscarriage. If it -is- a tubal miscarriage, I fit the symptoms perfectly, aside from massive internal bleeding, and it won't be the end of the world. I'll just hafta try harder to have kids in a few years, here. :D (Haha, my hubby & I were talking about this earlier -- if I had to have the surgery to get one of my ovaries removed -- and I whined because I wouldn't be able to work out for a long time! Oh no! I'm addicted!! :lol:) But I'm sure it'll be okay. Thank you so much for your support, too. I totally appreciate it. I'm definitely calling tomorrow, and making an appointment.

Good morning all you chickee dee's

Looks like ya'll are having a great week so far, I am so envious of lameducklucy, getting into her old size 11's, I wish and soon that day will be here for me too.

today is my weigh in day, and ANOTHER 2LBS I WILL NEVER HAVE TO GET TO KNOW AGAIN, is gone! Yes, I think I will let hubby by those expensive ear rings, he is getting on my last nerve! But it didn't throw me into eating! WE have men working around our house doing some stuff, and he is not supervising them, and they have taken off on several occasions and not returned. I think work should be progressing faster and he has his nose buried in his office, in his computer oblivious to the rest of the world. I was cranky yesterday, but had been mentioning my concerns since last week, he just ignored me, so I said some specifici concerns and asked him to get some questions answered, he started in! Pure guilt, I figure, he knows he has not been paying attention. I took off for a few hours, had to get my birds wings clipped (AFrican Gray) I only take her to one place an hour away. I made up my mind to be cool calm and collected, so I wouldn't lose it and go foraging for food to comfort me, but he started in, rationlizing, so I gunned him down with both barrels and walked off, and kept away from the kitchen, I know, I know, I am an evil woman!

So now I'm thinking about those ear rings, oh yeah, now he can buy them for me, and oh boy I hope he lets me pick them out, will he have a shocker! Living well is the best revenge!

You guys are doing so well, I did not do well on my water yesterday (only made 4 glasses of 8 oz), but I am good with my exercise routine and eating, so far so good on those. Today I should be home most of the day and I will do better on my water.

Keep it up all week and then lets survive the weekend.

You crack me UP!
 

Hey you chickie! You are MY kinda gal! That's the spirit...let him have it with both barrels AND...let him buy you those earrings!!!!! :lol3: MEN! We need to show them who is really boss! And may I say...way to go on not turning to food! You are awesome! You'll do better with the water...I got a good article from Truestar today about drinking water...maybe someone I sent it to will share it with all of us??!!!

You are doing awesome with your weight! 2 lbs! Way to go, chickie! YEA! :cheer:

Have a great Hump Day!

Happy Hump Day!!!
 

Morning, morning, morning!

It's Wednesday...we're nearly there, ladies. Another weekend is just 2 more days away...

Friday is Day 100 for me. 100 days of healthier living, increased exercise, better choices. 100 days. I'm almost giddy with anticipation. I've never been this good for this long. I know that this time, I am prepared to succeed. I've got the tools to do this, I have the support from hubby, I have great chickies here for support and inspiration, and my head is finally in the right place.

Last night, after I did the 1 mile WATP, and the 35 minute upper body work, I wrote a quick entry, and it felt so good to be moving! I had this burst of energy...so I went back & did more- I did the 2 mile WATP tape & then watched "24"

I really needed that. Thank you to everyone who prodded me to get out of my funk. I don't know where my head was. I know what works...I know what I need to do, and I just need to keep focused on the end result. I did the math before- to lose what I need to lose, it wil take 2 years (well, 93 weeks) the right way- the healthy way. I will do this! Every time I decide I don't need to work out, I delay my success. Every time I decide it's ok to throw away a weekend & eat like it's my last meal, I delay my success. Maintaining is not an option...over 12 years I added 100 pounds to my already overweight self by finding excuses to indulge, and being inactive. Time for a permanent change.

Ok, I'm all fired up today... :flame: LOL But it's a good thing!

Lucy: Chickie, take care of yourself- get to a doctor, and please, check in & let us know what's happening, or what we can do to help you.

Julie: Go chickie! DD is going to be so spoiled, with all that ourdoor time with mommy! Way to go. And....A big ole "Yahoo!!!!" on the loss- see, isn't it amazing how much better you feel & how the weight comes off when you're eating better? Amazing, right? Kick butt, woman!

Lisa: Way to go with the McD's temptation. I sure would have been face down in the french fries- that's my kryptonite...I swear, I get to goal, and that will be my one cheat item that I give myself. And then, I'll have to do 14 miles of WATP to work them off...lol

Magnolia- Excellent, chickie! 2 pounds gone! Great!! Aren't men like bigger versions of kids? What pains in the butt sometimes. Start thinking about those earrings...maybe something with a 1/4 carat, or 1/2 carat ;) ;) ;)
gotta get those "veggies" in, you know.

Okay ladies- wish me luck at this luncheon...I'll report back in with what I ended up picking at. Breakfast this morning was a taco rollup- I figured that if I started the day with something hearty & filling, I'd be less tempted to eat bad stuff at the lunch (just found out it's buffet, too- might be easier to pick out the better choices) and then I can adjust exercise up, and dinner down, as needed.

Have a great Wednesday- reach for those goals- kick it up a notch- just for today. You can do it- I'm so proud of each & every one of us!

Almost a week into the challenge...
 

Is everyone weighing in weekly or how often? I am excited to see what my results will be tomorrow. I think I am doing really well, I don't feel deprived or like I am struggling at all. It feels so good to feel like I am in control of at least one area of my chaotic life. I am so mad at myself for letting things get so bad before I decided to make changes!!!! But it's a new day and I AM making changes and doing what I have to do!

Yesterday I ate great, exercised none(that's the hardest thing to get going with) and drank almost enough water, so I started early today. I have already exercised some and had one bottle of water so far! Still want to do more cardio and my weight training when daycare kid leaves!!

Magnoliamouth - Congrats on that weight loss and the attitude for keeping in gone!

lameducklucy - Sounds like you had a much better shopping trip than I did, I never skip the ice cream aisle, a girl's gotta get that dairy in somehow! :o

YAY Lisa girl for being in control!!

And a Big WTG to the rest of you for the success you are having so far( didn't take notes, can ya tell?)

I almost forgot the biggest TADA so far...MY MORNING BLOOD SUGAR WAS 113!!! I haven't seen it that low in at least 2 years! YAY me!! That's even better than any weight lost this week!!

Have a great day, Friends!

I agree, I don't think it healthy for the body to go with out carbs, but maybe if you could at least change the kind of carbs you eat.
like eat only whole wheat, whole grain, brown rice, and in small amounts.
these kinds of carbs are better for you and your body won't be turning it into sugar the way it does with white bread, white rice, white pasta, potatos, and
white flower. and its none of my buisness, but diet pills? is that good for you really?

Hi everyone! Hope you are having a terrific day! I'm on target with both food and water!! I've drank 1/2 of my water!!! Yay!!!!

Just doing a bit of Spring Cleaning!!!

Julie sent me THE BEST article about drinking water!!! I will post it over here on the forums for you to see!! Julie - how do I do that??? This computer and I do not get along at all!! Julie is so sweet to me, even though I threaten her with the tazer even when she doesn't need it :) Thanks chick!

Jennifer - Glad to hear you are all fired up!! Hope your lunch goes well! Happy 100th day chickie!!! You are doing awesome and I am proud of you!

Maggi - You are doing great too. Way to give it to the DH!!! Ha! Ha!

Lucy - Girl, I hope you are feeling better today. I'm sending you good thoughts!!

Cindi - The news about your blood sugar is great!! Keep it up - you are doing a fantastic job. Hope you have a super day :) .

Maggi - Yeah, I fit into them... just barely. :lol: No guarantees that if I crouched down or sat or even bent sideways, the butt wouldn't rip open!! :lol: You'll get there, hon. I've been losing since 2001, when I gained it all. You'll get there -- it takes time!!

Jennifer - Got an appt. on Friday! Even talked to the finance dept. because I hath no insurance, and they were awesome about it. I feel WAY better now. :D Thanks so much for your support!! *hug*

Partytime - Yeah, no carbs is a bad idea. I scrapped that pretty quick. I don't really do a lot of sugar, or flour.... it's the pasta that gets me, and whole wheat pasta is mass expensive around here. Diet pills are no biggie -- I've been taking them for awhile. It mostly just gives me energy and whatnot... I know, risky, but they help. :D

Lisa - *hug* WTG!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!! :D :D :D I'm way better today. :) Hope your day goes as well as the morning has! Keep that water up, girlie!

Okay... yeah... I have to type the rest of the post now. *whine* My fingers are sore. :lol:

Food today:

B - coffee w/ fat free creamer (probably 4 cups...), 1 cup fresh cantaloupe, and after my workout, 1/2 cup ff cottage cheese.
L - Veggies w/ lunchmeat, and a side of fruit.
D - Steak (broiled) with a small side of pasta and a big salad.

I rule. :D Even without trying, I have a very low-carb day! SCORE!

Workout today:

10 min stepper w/ weights (and increased resistance!)
500 situps (600 next week, perhaps?)
Cleaning the house up a bit.

Plus add to that 5 hrs of typing vigorously, and that should add up to something for my poor fingers, right? :D I wish typing counted as a workout, haha!!

Other than that, I have a doctor's appt. on Friday at 10:30, with my REAL doctor (yeah, the one who actually LOOKS at me when something is wrong, and gives a crap if I'm alive?), wonderful doctor... ahh, it will be a relief to get that over with! My stupid TOM is screwing with my head, now. It's just stopping and starting at random times throughout the day. Wtf?! Seriously. That's just dumb. *looks at pelvis* STOP IT. :D I am so weird, hehe! But really... sick of that stuff already.

I am SUPER hyper from all my yummy coffee and the awesome cantaloupe for breakfast. Off I go to step up a storm, and maybe even do some impromtu step aerobics on phone books to burn off some of my energy! WOOHOO!! :D

My goal for the end of this week: Figure out something to do with my nasty, too long to spike, too short to put in pigtails, too randomly cut to do ANYTHING with, hair. Agh!

Keep it up, chickies!! You guys ROCK!!!

there was a time when I couldn't even find whole wheat pasta.
and then finally, the QFC started selling it but it wasn't in the pasta isle, it was over in the health food section, and it was darn expensive.
but now finally, and I have noticed this in just the last month, Safeway and Albertsons is selling the whole wheat pasta in the pasta section and its the same price as the regular stuff. Last night at Albertsons I bought a whole wheat Lasagna, a whole wheat spaghetti, a whole wheat curley noodle, and a whole wheat little flat noodle. Not only that, I am finding that more and more food markets are selling the whole wheat tortillas, in all kinds of sizes and some of them are spicy with garlic "my fav"
so keep checking your super markets, and maybe they too will be selling this stuff soon at low prices and more verities. :)

Whole wheat pasta question:
 

When the label says 'whole wheat semolina' is that the same? That's what I started using a few years back when my grandmother did Sugarbusters.

I rarely eat pasta this time around, even whole wheat, because it's one of evereating triggers.... And, well.... garlic bread goes so well with pasta dishes... :devil:

And, I wish my store had the flavored WW tortillas. They are the bomb. That's the only 'bread' I've been eating.

Anyway, just really wondered about the whole wheat semolina thing...

Stef

Hmm. We generally shop at Safeway (cheaper and they have our stuff, whereas QFC is psycho-organic and basically doesn't have -real- food, and Albertson's is too expensive in general). I'll hafta check out Al's & QFC to see if they have any whole wheat pastas. It'd be better than the semolina penne I regularly get.

Thanks for the tip, partytime!! :D Also.. *Drool* at your icon. YUM.

Quick peek in: I did ok with the luncheon- I had about a 3"x2"x2" square of baked ziti, and 1 single chicken tenderloin-sized piece of chicken parm that I pulled the breading off. 1 single teeny square of garlic bread, and 3 glasses of water. Not bad at all, considering.

I was back here for about a half hour...and now it's time to leave. LOL. I'll check in later, but wanted to celebrate being as in control as possible given the choices- I am way under, but I am starving- all those empty carbs! Gotta go with a filling dinner tonight- maybe soup & a part of a sandwich....fill up the void ;)

:grouphug: My favorite chickies!

well Stef, I don't know, all I have ever heard about is, the label needs to have the words whole wheat as the first ingredient listed.
but if I can find out more I will tell you..
and you are sure right about the garlic bread with the pasta...

and your very welcome lameducklucy, such a cool user name you have.. :cool:

Jennifer and friends~ I must leave you girls to do the Challenge alone. Not good news at the eye Dr today and PC time will be limited. Soooooo gotta leave you to it. Thanks for the welcome and the support and I will continue on my plan too. I need to cut time is all. Lots of luck, love and HUGS to all of you and Hope you all have a WONDERFUL EASTER!!!! Take care~ Mel

Hi guys!! I had a good day today. I drank my water, ate my WW points, and moved around outside, but haven't done a formal "workout". I have such cramps!! Goodness, I am so bloated and feel icky! I'm sure tomorrow will feel much better.

Mel - I wish you all the best. I was sorry to hear your appointment was not positive :(. You take care, chickie!

Jennifer - Way to go at the luncheon. I knew you would do fine!! Hope your afternoon was good!!

Julie - Hope you had a good afternoon too!!!!!!

It seems kinda lonely here on the forums tonight. Probably everybody is exercising !!! Since everyone else is.....I guess I need to get on that bike!!!!

Have a super evening!!!

O.K. -I'm back. I just did 40 minutes on the exercise bike. I am really encouraged:). I just feel like crying with joy! That I was able to exercise like that.... well I know I have said this a million times, but this time last year I was barely able to walk!!! I kept thinking as I was riding, that it is such a priviledge to be riding the bike. Not a chore, but a gift. Exercising felt good. It felt good to be in control of something. I am going through a time in my life in which so much feels out of my control, and it feels nice to take charge with something. Because, I do control what goes in my mouth, and I do control my exercising. Sometimes I think external forces really sway my decisions, but I am ultimately in charge of my behavior. Wow...I am really getting deep in thought tonight!!!

I am not sleepy - I'm off to read a bit. Good night!!

HERE I am!
 

Good morning chickies!

Sorry I missed posting yesterday! I was just feeling awful. But I feel much better this morning, however no exercise this morning...another late morning! It's raining here this morning...or at least it was. We are planning an Easter Egg Hunt at my work for the residents today, so looks like it will have to be inside! Oh well! They will enjoy it either way!

Yesterday, No exercise! No excuse, except I felt miserable last night and really didn't feel like exercising. Today I will when I get home...30 min on bike for sure...haven't beenon the bike since Sunday...I'm sure it's missing my butt! LOL!

Food yesterday was ok! Up until lunch I did well...then three choc chip cookies jumped into my mouth...just like that! Well, actually I didn't eat them all at once, but they wanted me to!! ;)
Supper was comfort food: Grilled turkey & Cheese & chicken veggie soup! So not too bad. Not enough water yesterday either! Everything was making me gassy yesterday, including the water, so I drank a glass of 7-UP (diet, of course) last night and that seemed to settle in ok! But I am thirsty this morning!

Today my plan is to stick with my plan! LOL! REally! I need to NOT let myself get hungry so I will plack plenty of snacks to take to work, since we are having lots of chocolate around! ;)

I will post later tonight to let you all know how I did!

You chickies are doing so awesome! Hope Today finds everyone doing as well!

Hugs!

Partytime - :rofl: at your penguin! I love that!

Mel (if you get to read this) - So sorry about your news :sorry: , I hope your eyes get the rest (and whatever else) they need. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Jennifer - good going on the lunch :cheer:

Julie - Glad you're feeling better today... Ignore the chocolate :nono:

Lameducklucy - I hope your Dr.'s appointment goes well. You're doing awesome in spite of what you've been going through.

Lisa - WTG on the exercise!

I still haven't gotten on my treadmill yet. I was going to last night, but shopping took a lot longer than I expected. I also ended up with a bag of someone else's groceries - when I got home and unpacked my groceries, I found a bag of (get this!) chocolates and cookies. How cruel is that? Now I need to return them to the store.

I'm not sure yet how exercise is going to go today - I won't have a lot of time for it, unless I decide not to work tomorrow. All the employees have tomorrow off, but of course if I don't come in, I'll be missing another day's pay. Always a trade-off. But otherwise, I know I won't get much exercise all weekend, with my sister's family staying with me.

Well, I hope everyone has a great day and a wonderful Easter weekend!

Good morning. Hope everyone is well. I have been doing my journaling. This is a first for me. So this is actually day 4 of my new and improved diet plan. LOL Seems like I've all ways been on some diet plan. Hope Mel is alright. And thanks about the info on the whole wheat pasta, will look for it. Whole grains are better to help with blood sugar too. I am off meds for two weeks and then I start a clinical trial for Advandian. My sugar was 151 this morning with no diabetic meds since sunday nite.
Love and luck to all. Lady