Ok, I think I clicked a wrong button, because it told me I was now unsubscribed from this thread. I guess that just means I need to post more often!
Sorry I was AWOL this morning--had to be a work super-early, and it was a long busy day, and I got very little sleep last night. Just couldn't get my brain to shut up. However, today was a good day, though busy busy busy. You want to know how busy? Well, an average 8-hour shift at work usually racks up about 2.5-3 miles on the pedometer. Today I got in 8.5 miles before I left work, then I went to run errands, then I went to dinner with a friend. We were going to go for a walk, but my legs were just too tired!

Anyway, calories were decent today, though I don't remember my count. Water was also decent, but most of it came in the form of diet soda, and some of that was caffeine free. And my evening with my friend... well, he settled my mind a good bit, and I'm feeling much better tonight than I was last night at this time.

But I am incredibly tired, and I plan to get up and on the stairclimber in the morning (if my legs aren't stiff from today's activity), so I need to get to sleep. I'll be back in the morning. Honest--late shift tomorrow! Have a great night, chicks!
~Elisha

Morning chicks!

Motivation level: 6

I'm in a pretty good mental state today, which is good. I was going to get on the stairclimber this morning, but I had to go downstairs for something this morning, and the first step I took my legs almost collapsed, and the way back up wasn't any easier, so I think I'll hold off. Perhaps if I don't get in at least 10,000 steps today at work, which I most likely will, I will do something when I get home. I just feel physically exhausted right now, and I just got up. I hate that. And with the x-mas season coming up, I don't expect to get well-rested any time soon. *sigh*

But... I'm feeling better, as I said. I've reset my goal to 190 for the end of the year. That's 5 pounds per month, 10 pounds. I can do that. I've done it before, many times. And once I lost 10 pounds, I get a reward. Haven't decided what yet, but I'll think of something.

As for food today....

Breakfast: coffee w/creamer, scrambled eggs in tortilla with feta cheese, maybe some sauteed peppers and onions
Lunch: bf is meeting me for lunch, so probably either subway (most likely) or Chinese, in which case I'll try to find something healthy.
Dinner: who knows? Mom will be home early to fix dinner, but we've got leftover beef roast from last night, so it's hard to tell if she will cook or not.

I hate not being able to plan things like that. Grr... there I go, getting negative again. Stop it, Elisha!

Anyway, I will do my best. I hope everyone has a wonderful day today!
~Elisha

Yay Jaymi!!! GOOD JOB!!! (Force that motivation!)

I'm tired. That's about all of my news... Work has been slow but busy, and passing very slowly in time, so my feet bug me more. Saturday, mom & I are going to stop at Shoes-n-Feet and see if I can't get myself a good pair of shoes that are work-worthy and won't hurt my broken bone.

Other than that, no workout as usual, but tomorrow is my last day of not working out!! YAAAAAY!!!

Gonna go find a cute outfit for the day and get myself ready to go. Keep positive, chickies!!

I need a challenge to keep myself motivated. Hope you don't mind me joining a little late.

I know some of the names from the journals, but hope to know each of you better here.

Tuesday and Wednesday I have ridden the bike max for 4 miles each day. I am going to the gym again today. I forget to wear the pedometer at work--I walk quite a bit at work and I have a sore foot due to surgery.

Check back later

Welcome CeeJay! It's never too late and besides I sense another challenge once this one is over!

Jaymi, WTG !!!! Isn't it the best feeling when you are motivated and feel so good after you get it going again? Did anything I just said make sense? I'm so proud of you and I just know it's going to get better and better.

Now, where is our fearless leader and her co-helper? I am talking about Jennifer and Julie??? LOL

I have been busy today just trying to clean but with the new doggie in the house and she not talking her medicine I have been more busy with all the animals in this house! You could say we have gone to the dogs. LOL

I hope more drop by. Hi Elisha! I didn't mean to sound like I didn't see you were here! Well, going out to eat tonight at a Italian restaurant with friends. Wish me luck that I make good choices. LOL

Have a good evening!
Donna

Evening chickies...
Sorry about not checking in this morning. I usually save my post til the evening when I can find some time to myself, but some days there is no time to myself... I worked all day (per usual) and then tonight hubby and DD and I went to a School Zone book sale! We got awesome deals! Has anyone ever heard of School Zone educational stuff? They have books and learning CD's and games and all kinds of stuff. I think Walmart sells some of their stuff! Anyway. We got about 30 26-page workbooks for 50 cents, CD ROMs for 50 cents and $1.00, flash cards for 50 cents, books for a buck, games for 2 bucks...lots of Christmas presents for neices and nephews (there are 10 grandchildren on my side of the family...all under 13!!!!) and bunches of stuff for Kaleigh! All for under $40.00!!! It was awesome!

So anyway...no formal exercise today! I wanted to get to work early this morning so I could get out a little earlier (didn't... but wanted to!) to get home to go to this sale with family. ATe out for all meals today but had NO chocolate during the day.

*Mc Donalds for b-fast (2 sausage burritos) and
*Lunch (Grilled chicken Cobb salad with balsamic dressing).
I've been drinking water and pop like crazy today...so thirsty...I'm sure it's all the salt in the processed foods from Mc Donalds!!! Then...
*Chinese tonight (more salt!) and not enough veggies!! I did have a little icecream tonight after my meal, but have been chugging the water since i got home!!

I'm going to try to get to bed early tonight so I can get up early and workout here at home...maybe do a WATP tape or even the bike. I'll se how I feel in the morning! I don't work out at night, unless it's a walk outside and it's too cold and damp tonight to walk outside!!!

Jaymi...hope you found time to exercise tonight!

Donna...thanks for thinking of me! And you know that Jennifer is living it up in Palm Beach at the Hilton on the ocean for the week, right? At a "conference" Yea, right!!! LOL!

Ceejay...glad to have you here! Of course you can join in. We WILL be starting a new challenge in a few weeks and some of us chickies will be getting our butts in gear then, because some of us have been "slackers" for a while!!! (You know who you are!!!!!!)

Lucy...yea...take care of that foot for one more day...and find some good shoes, will ya??? LOL!!! Seriously...there's nothing better than a good pair of shoes when you are on your feet all day!! I worked in retail for years! And BTW...I have an ingrown toenail on my big toe and it hurts like heck right now! Just thought I'd whine a bit about MY feet problems!!! LOL!

Elisha...Way to go on the positive thinking! I'm proud of you for turning that around! It's hard to do sometimes, but you are doing super! Your goals sound great!

I think I'm going for 15# before the New Year!! That will put me around 150 by New Years! Wow! That would be something! I haven't been that weight in almost 20 years! I need to really get going!!! I want to start to crank it up a notch with the exercise to twice a day 3 times a week and once a day 5 times a week! I wonder if I will be able to keep up that pace! I'm having a hard time with just the once a day 5 times a week regimen! Maybe if I focus on the exercise, the eating will just follow! Because I struggle more with the eating than I do the exercise!

Alright chickies...the back is starting to ache! I need to go to bed (and this cat of mine is driving me nuts tonight...he's meowing like he wants food, but his bowl is full...maybe it's just ME he wants...just like everyone else around this house! )

Hugs !

Evening ladies!

So today was good. Long, but good. So far the pedometer is reading 5.89 miles, and I've still got a little bit of walking to do. I'll probably make it to 6, if not over. Food today was better than expected, but it didn't start out that way.

Breakfast: coffee w/creamer, scrambled eggs with sauteed peppers and onions, a little bit of left over roast beef, and velveeta cheese, and 12-grain toast
Can I just say that I really like the 12-grain bread my parents buy. It's really tasty, and it makes wonderful toast. However, it's not technically WHOLE grain, and it's got like 120 calories per slice. I've been buying reduced calories wheat at 35 calories per slice. It's not as good, but with toast it doesn't really make that much of a difference. And that's a lot of calories saved.

Lunch: Subway southwest steak and cheese w/provolone and veggies, baked barbeque chips, diet pepsi
Dinner: homemade meatloaf, boiled potato, cauliflower, baked beans, water

Calories are at 1586 right now, but I'm really craving something else. Maybe I'll have another bit of potato, that doesn't have too many calories. Dunno. More water though. I'm a thirsty girl.

I'm also a tired girl, and I've got to work early tomorrow, so I need to go to bed. Have a great night, chicks!
~Elisha

Hello All

Just got in.....after working all day, grabbed some Arby's on the way home to DH, ate and ran up to visit Mom. My Mom has dementia and is in assisted living......she still knows who I am but she is declining mentally at such a rapid rate! So.... of course, I came home and had 2 peanut butter sandwiches....certainly wasn't hungry.....just needed some comfort food, I guess...

Food this week has gone from bad to worse.....exercise is nearly non-existent....the scale is not going to be kind to me this week! The good news is that I am drinking enough water to float a Liberian tanker.

Jaymi......"still trying" is the operative word. Never give up! And 30 minutes of exercise is awesome......you have turned yourself around and I am proud of you.

Dlzbth....The DGS turned a mighty 5-years-old.....he is one awesome little dude. Check out the recipe thread for my recipe for sweet potatoes and apples.....we usually have it at Thanksgiving! I think it would be just as good with a little less sugar, but I will let that be your call.

Hikein.....You are doing so well with your exercise.....that goal next Tuesday should be no problem for you! Good job on the buys at SchoolZone....will have to see if they sell their stuff around here......only 2 months to Christmas!

Ceejay.....Welcome, welcome, welcome! Your exercise program sounds very good.....4 miles on the bike and then gym too!!

Lucy....make sure you have some good supportive shoes under you before you start working out.....don't want you making backward strides in healing!

Have a great evening, chicklets!

Morning chicks!

Motivation level: 5

So the scale is up this morning, and I've been doing better. I don't understand. I think this particular little upswing is related to the fact that I just switched birth control pills. I hate how medicine can make your body do crazy things. It's like this is just one more obstacle I have to overcome. *sigh*

And I can't seem to get enough sleep this week. I went to sleep around 10:30 last night, and woke up at 7:00 after having some really weird dreams, and I'm still exhausted. I get a few days off in a row next week, so hopefully I will get rested up then.

Anyway, today's menu looks like this:

Breakfast: coffee w/creamer, tortilla with scrambled eggs, sauteed peppers and onions, a few more bit of roast beef, and cheese
Lunch: diet vanilla coke, pepperoni pizza lean pocket, mini rice cakes
Dinner: I have no idea.

On the plus side, I didn't eat anything else after I posted last night, but I did drink another glass of water. And I made it up to exactly 6 miles. Today will probably be another high-mile day, but there will probably be no formal exercise after work. Maybe I'll just sleep.

Anyway, I've gotta go get ready for work. Have a good day everyone.
~Elisha

Oh, It's so nice to see some posts this morning!
Julie, I knew about Jennifer but it seems to have been the longest week without her. It seems she should of been back by now! I know what you mean about having "me" time. Another reason why I don't post much on weekends. Not much of that time except maybe in the evenings after DD has gone to bed. I'll have to check out those things at our Walmart. Elena's school just had a book fair but their prices were not that reasonable (although I'm cheap!! LOL) and I was going to stock up for the younger nieces and nephew's Christmas gifts but nope. Well anyway gotta get going on those lists. Have a great day!

Elisha, I feel your pain about medicines causing your weight to elevate but at least you realize it isn't "you" but still it's frustrating. Not enough rest also reflects unwanted numbers on the scale. I sure hope this evening you will rest better and no more weird dreams. Have a great day!

MsRd, I will HAVE to check that recipie out! Thanks for that so much! I bet your DGS is adorable.. Pictures??? I'm so sorry about your Mother. I know this is a hard time for you and I am holding your hand in spirit for this is tough stuff. I'm so glad she still knows who you are. Have a great day!

Jaymi, I'm soooo glad that you got what I was trying to say!!! I don't have the gift of writing that is for sure and I know what I want to say but just finding those crazy words to rightly express it sometimes is a real struggle for me! Last weekend we "adopted" from the shelter a dachshund mix dog for my DD. She is such a sweet dog but there as been one problem she developed kennel cough and we have had the fun task of trying to get her back to health. She doesn't take her medication well and even after I bought these pill pockets that the vet office said is guaranteed for her to take it she is still not taking the medicine. We also have another dog we have had for ten years. So, with the animals out-numbering the people in our house I feel like we live in a Animal HOuse! Have a good day!

Water has been excellent since I bought the jug! LOL My food has been right on the money too. I am approaching the two days that usually do me in but I hope that this is going to be different. I am cramping which sometimes causes me not to eat much so maybe the monthly yucky will be to my advantage this time. Dinner out last night went well. I had a very small piece of bread with the olive oil dip and whole wheat pasta with vegetables and shrimp. So, I don't think that was bad at all. I did a very thorough cleaning to my house yesterday and that was my exercise. Believe me I made it a cardio work out! LOL House Cleaning is actually a activity that can earn activity points! WOOO HOOO!!!

Have a great day to those I did not address and I hope you all have a OP weekend.

Donna

Okay... so rad news here!!

1 - Hubby got his first (half & half -- one week at the old pay rate, one at the new) paycheck for the new raise this morning, and it was AWESOME. Things are finally getting back on track!

2 - Health insurance is FINALLY done, so I can go get my stupid pills and get my poor tooth fixed!!

3 - Because his check was so big this week, I'm going to Shoes-N-Feet tomorrow with my mom and having a pair custom made for work!! They do medical shoes for people, so it'll have more than enough padding for my poor feet to be up for 10 hrs a day!! WOOO!!!

4 - I can work out again starting tomorrow! SO EXCITED!!! I have the uber-ugly shoes that I've had to wear to work (through Sunday's shift this week) and THOSE are athletic shoes, with awesome support & insoles, so THOSE are my new workout shoes. Good support and they absorb the impact while I walk/run/wahtever.

I have a cold and it's pissing me off, but that's about the only bad thing. OH!!! The title for my new-to-me-but-used car that I've had for 3 months is ALMOST HERE!! Which means I can soon actually SLEEP every day, and I have reliable transportation for work during the xmas season, which will prove to be ****.

Other than that, things are okay. I really want some salad, but have none right now. Might have a sub for lunch/dinner today, if the hubby can take me out for lunch. It'd be nice to see him.

Tomorrow, this is the plan. Shopping w/ mom for the morning hours. Then picking up a few pumpkins with the hubby and carving, and an evening walk in the icky wind and rain with my puppydog! WOO!

I'll update more tomorrow. Take care!

Well, I haven't been here in a while. Been fighting a **** of a cold and just dealing with life. Haven't been doing too bad. No exercise, but I still haven't gained (or lost) any weight. Tomorrow is my 30th birthday and I don't really know how I feel about that yet. I know that by the time my 31st birthday comes around I want to be happy with me and that entails a lot of changes in my life (one of the top most changes is my weight). It's amazing what a birthday can do to motivate you. Well, I'm off. Hopefully getting out of here soon. Have a great weekend everyone.

Kelly, Have a great birthday tomorrow. I know how you feel. When I turned 30 I was a little down, at 31 no problem and then when I turned 40 same way. 41 no problem! LOL But I have to say I LOVED my thirties. Have a great day!

Donna