Well, yesterday was better - got in 72 oz. of water - not what I wanted to get in, but not bad either. The bedroom is a work in progress - I should be able to start my Tae-Bo next week! Yay! I'm actually looking forward to trying it out again.

Morning chicks!

Java--WOOHOO! You go Turtle! Keep up the good work! (And send some motivation my way!) Maybe I need to join TOPS with you!

Food this weekend was terrible, as was exercise. I did get some new motivation. Steve booked us a cruise to the Bahamas. We haven't set the exact dates yet, but we're hoping to go for New Years. That gives me about 8 months to lose 45 pounds, which is perfectly reasonable. I want to look good in a bathing suit for the first time in my life!

So today I am starting a new diet of my own design. I'll let you all know how it turns out. I've got to get serious about this once again.

I realized that last year when I lost the first 40 pounds I had no other distractions in my life: I only worked part-time, I had no social life, and certainly no boyfriend. I'm not trying to make excuses, it's just makes me realize that I have to find a way to deal with these distractions if I ever intend to reach my goals. I've got to start putting weight loss first in my life once again. That's the only way to do it.

So today, I am serious. Today, weight loss comes first. Today, I win this battle.

Have a healthy day, chicks.
~Elisha

well today isn't going to be good, I can feel that already. I didn't exercise yesterday like I had planned and today I won't get any exercise in since I am getting sick. I will still attempt to go to work but I feel like crap today. Oh well. I am up a lb which is also bad but I have been eating chocolate lately. Well that is all for right now since I do have to get ready for work before I get too lazy and just call off. Talk to you all later and hope you are all feeling better then I am.

1st Bike ride of the season..
 

It was a great one. Sunny, but not too hot and hey, it's true about it being "just like riding a bike." Got right on and peddaled away. We did about 11 miles. Stopped at the pavilion where they feed the ducks and geese. I had a snack of 2 oranges and 1 banana and plenty of water. I saw a puppy named Max, a hottie bald guy/body builder shirtless in tight jeans and then I saw a very large black snake and got off my bike to pet her. She was gorgeous and very docile. I helped her safely across the trail and loved every second of petting her.:D

I'm pretty sore today, but I've got to keep moving. I've got to introduce more than just walking as exercise. I've got to find a way to lose inches as well as pounds as I'm in an inches loss contest at TOPS too. This competition is good for me, I'm very competitive even if it IS just for trinkets and applause.:cp:

Gabwill: I hope you feel better soon. I just got over being sick. It sucks! :mad:

Miss Elisha: That cruise just may be the motivation you need. I read your journal entry. Very inspiring. I know if anyone can, YOU can. Go gurl go.

Mom2Alex: That's great on the water! :bravo:That's a lot! You wanted more than that? Aye aye aye! You're going to wear your potty out. :lol:

JoyG56: I like Tai Chi too. I should dig that tape out. It's very calming. I don't know how it makes us lose weight, but they swear it does. And 80 minutes? Wow! :yikes:


To anyone I missed: Sorry. I'm new at this responding to everyone thing... I'm getting better at it. Have a great evening everyone. I'm so going to get used to this "good feeling." Kind of odd for the cranky turtle, but I like it. ;)

I'm Here!
 

:wave: Sorry I've been MIA this week! It's been a busy week and I just haven't had the energy to get on the computer and write...besides that, I just haven't done anything that great! But life is life and I still need to check in with my chickies! :)

OK...well first things first...food is sucking big time this week! I didn't eat lunch yesterday...had a big presentation at 1pm and I had the pre-presenter's jitters, so I left work at 4:30 and went to Arby's for some "naughty food"...jalapeno poppers and a jamocha shake!!! OH mY! :o Then last night I made popcorn because I didn't eat supper (still full from my naughty food!) and loaded it with cheese & butter! :nono: I sooo know better than that! Then...as if that wasn't all enough...today I went to BK and had a double cheese burger and onion rings. Now granted, I didn't eat but 4-5 of the onion rings, but I still had waaaay more than I should have. The only redeeming thing about today is that I had taco SALAD for supper! Now, I just KNOW I'm not going to lose wt. with this diet!! So, I really need to get back to counting calories! I feel better and it's so much better for me!

Water has been good until today. I think I got about 20 oz. in! The rest has been Diet Coke! Tsk, tsk tsk!!! I know better with this too. And I am NOT going to weigh myself next week, either! :no:

Exercise has been non-existant since Sunday! I just have been pooped working from the time I get up until I go to bed. No time...really! I know that's not an excuse, but seriously...it's just been non-stop for me! I'm pooped! I think maybe in about June, I will have some time for myself, but until then...I'll take the weekends to get at least SOME exercise in! OK...maybe I will get in some more during the week...when I have some time!!!

So, there's my story! Sorry to bore all of you with it!

Mary...Congrats on the HUGE loss! I knew you could do it! And what's up with petting a snake, girl???? That's just plain friggin CRAZY!!!!!! I don't like snakes!! :s: But way to go on the bike ride! I haven't had mine out yet this year, but maybe this weekend we will do a family ride on the trail. Hubby doesn't like to hike, but he does like to ride...and we have a Burley trailer for DH so she doesn't get too tired!

Joy...thanks for missing me! Your exercise sounds just perfect to me! I sure wish I had time for it...(yea, I know...you already heard my whining!!! LOL!) And I hear you on those after dinner snacks! They call my name every night! Grrr!

MsRD...So proud of you for exercising. You are doing it chickie! And the food looks great! Sorry about the bone density scan. Too funny with your comment on the hip bones shrinking! I hear ya though! (Hugs)

Gabrielle...you take care of yourself chickie! Don't want you to get too run down! Hugs to you too!

Elisha...girl...you are as motivated as I have heard you in a long time. Tell Steve that was the secret ingredient!!! Yea Steve! I'm so happy for you! That is just so much fun. Hubby and I went on a 1-day cruise to the Bahamas and then spent a week at an all inclusive resort there! It was a great time! I know you will get to your goal, for sure! So proud of you! You've come a long way!

MomtoAlex...My sister did TaeBo and loved it. I don't have the time for it, but often have thought about starting a group at my work to do a group! I thought it would be fun to do as a group thing! 72 oz. water is so much better than my pathetic 20 today! I need to go fill a glass!

Mud...sounds like you had a really fun weekend! And belly dancing that late at night? You have so much more energy than I do! I'm exhausted when I get home! Perhaps this is a sign that I need to get more energy = exercise in the mornings, eh? LOL!

To all the rest of you...HELLO!!!!! Jennifer, Lisa, Lucia, who'd I miss??? Get your butts in here and POST!!!!!

Hugs to all!

Sorry! My internet service has been down for a couple of days....Grrrrrrrr!!!!!! I just get so annoyed with that!! We pay good money for this service -darn it!

Food had been good for me this week..I barely dipped into flex points. For some reason, today was a ravenous day for me!! I am getting in all my water, as that is the only thing I am drinking right now, aside from skim milk. I have been doing weight training, and it is making me more hungry. Every other night, I am doing my weights for my upper body. These are not heavy at all. Just 5 pound dumbbells, but they are making me pleasantly sore! I just love doing it...who would have ever thought??? And EVERY NIGHT I am doing a "calisthenic type" toning routine with my legs and my waist. It is also leaving me a bit sore..but it is working!! Only I can tell of course,,but my jiggles are less jiggly! Tonight, I walked for 35 min., and rode my bike for 20 min. I was sweating!! I've been feeling bad that I am not getting in my official cardio. Cardio is so important. I have a formal ball gown to buy in May, and by golly, I'm not going to be so self-conscious in one this year!!

Julie- I sure have missed chatting with you! Please IM me soon!! Get to hiking girlie and walk off that fast food!! Don't worry...you'll get back on track!

Mary - Girl, I am proud as heck of you!!! You go! Wow..you are sounding so wonderful. You deserve this, and I know you can do it!! Woo hoo!!

Gab - Hope you feel better soon!! Take care of yourself!

Elisha - Nothing like an upcoming cruise to motivate you!! That sounds fun!

Jenn - I can't do the Tae Bo because it hurts my back. But, my SIL has the tapes..she really liked doing it!

Mud - That bellydancing has become a popular workout!! I've heard of a lot of people that really like it!

Joy - You are kicking some butt with the exercise...WTG! Now, are you counting your activity points?? Maybe you are not going over your points as badly as you think. And, I have some yummy new WW recipes I got from my MIL..I'll share those soon.

MsRD - I have had the bone density scan..it was scary to me..I was afraid it would be a bad result. I had a bad dexa scan on my heel, and then had to go have the big scan. They told me calcium and weight bearing exercise too!! I had this done about 2 years ago. So, let's both hold each other accountable for calcium and exercise :).

Well, I need to get off to bed...there's so much else I want to chat about, but I'm sooooo tired. I'll check back in tomorrow for sure.

Blessings to all of you! You are all wonderful!!

evening Everybody!

Today I wasn't going to do squat and cash in on one of my free days; but I didn't and am so glad now that I got my butt in gear. I did my normal 30 minute bellydancing thing and added ina 25 minute aerobic walk. I drank lots and lots of water and snacked on healthy grape tomatoes instead of what ever else I could have. ha ha. I wanted to go swimming but could not find my suit, plus I hate going to the pool. Being as I say "half albino" ( from the waist down) I'd hate to blind my fellow pool dwellers. I literally can not tan on my legs.

Well thats a wrap for me tonight.

Jenn - Way to go with that water :cp:.... seems I've got to get back in the habit.

Miss Elisha - Lucky you.... a great boyfriend .... a great vacation ..... a great new incentive. YOU CAN DO IT. :cheer:

Gabwill - Hope you're feeling better :balloons: You aren't letting yourself get run down are you? Taking vitamins and getting enough rest?

Java - I'm more interested in the "hottie bald guy/body builder shirtless in tight jeans" than the big snake... but hey to each their own :lol: It was "an act of kindness" to make sure she was safe tho... WTG on the bike ride. I want DH & I to get bikes... I love to ride (once I get my seat worn in) and we have some great trails along the local beaches for riding. I've recently discovered a new treat for a snack... a sliced up apple dipped in 1T peanut butter .... yum

Hey Hikein... Remember the Anarandacs (sp? ...going from bad memory) you want to hike this summer? Time to renew your committment.... and remember your personal reasons for your change in life style. You only have to commit a small amount of time to exercise say 30 minutes (make it worth it and get your cardio up) each day, one day cardio.... one day weight training.... one day toning..... Write yourself a schedule and schedule yourself in for 30 minutes personal time ... Your signature says .... If you fail to plan you plan to fail. Hope this helps...

Hey Lisa my WW buddy - Good for you... all that exercising and toning I especially loved your "but my jiggles are less jiggly" comment :lol3: I haven't been noting my exercise points - but you could be right about my extra points being covered by them. However, I am not losing weight.... stayed the same this week :halfful:

I haven't added my points up for today... I did attend a retirement party - just cold cuts, cheese, buns and appy's and coffee ... resisted the cake. I did come home and eat dinner afterward so probably over. I was cautious tho.... does that count? I got up at 4am and did my 60 minutes Tai Chi and went for a 15 minute walk this morning. Got in about 72 oz water & herbal tea today.

So gotta go and do my evening and bedtime routines (for those FLYer's out there)

Hugs to all..... Have a successful and rewarding Thursday.

Morning ladies! Ok - it seems that 72 oz. is becoming my daily average - I'll take it...it's better than I was doing. LOL I'm sure as the weather gets warmer, that will cause a natural increase. And too funny about me wearing out my potty - I've got teacher's bladder - I can hold it for hours if need be! LOL

Now all I need is someone to kick me in the arse and make me exercise! I do get a short daily walk when I have to pick up kids from the bus stop (I work at a daycare w/ the after school program), but that's about it. Definitely not enough to call it exercise. LOL

Morning chicks!

Yesterday was a good day, even if it wasn't exactly according to plan. Calories came in at 1275, I had 120 oz. of water (that new larger cup I bought makes it so much easier!), and I even exercised--only 20 minutes on the elliptical, then about 30 minutes of Tai Chi. I can't say I cared much for the Tai Chi, but it made me really want to break out my yoga and pilates tapes! Maybe I'll do some yoga when I get home this evening. I have a few that are pretty relaxing.

I made out a new workout schedule, and a strength training chart, so I'm all set to go now.

Lisa--What type of calisthenics are you doing? If it's working for you, I want to know so I can do it too! I could certainly use some less jiggly parts! :lol:

I think tonight I'm going to work up a new diet based on the food pyramid (or whatever the USDA is calling the new guidelines now). I'm interested to see just how balanced my diet is. I can tell you right now that I need more fruits and veggies. Luckily, tomorrow is payday, and I plan to stock up on some good, healthy foods.

Anyway, I need to get ready for work now. Have a healthy day, everyone!
~Elisha

Good morning! Sorry that I have been missing for a few days. It looks like everyone is working hard! I took yesterday off work b/c I wasn't feeling well and I skipped my workout. I did workout on my ball for 20 mins. I have done well with the water and eating this week...and exercise (monday and Tuesday). After my meeting I have to hit the gym. I hope that everyone has a great Thursday and is doing ok.

Hi all,
I'm here! Really felt like crap today! Still do. Feverish, headache, nausea and all that stomach crap. Maybe I just need to flush the system and start eating better! Today was better, though than the last few days. Still not getting in enough veggies & fruits and water was low, although higher than the last few days!

Joy, thank you for your words of encouragement. That's what I love about this group...we are all honest with one another and can feel ok about giving each other that "kick in the pants" that we all so need from time to time! I will get myself through this week...really, it has been ****, but that seems to be my life lately and I am just going to have to come to terms with that! Summer is just plain busy for me! So, unless I resolve myself to the fact that I am going to HAVE to get up int he morning for that exercise, whether I want to or not, it just isn't gonna happen because after work is NOT an option for me...at least not most days! Jeesh! I will sit down with my workout schedule and figure out some things this weekend...seriously! Thank you again!

To the rest of you...I wish I felt more like responding, but I just feel like crap tonight, so I'm gonna call it a night!

Hugs to all of you though! You are all such an inspiration to me!

Today was my official weigh in..I am down another 3 pounds! Having that awful migraine last week, followed by a few days of feeling nauseous probably really contributed to my loss..I know every week won't be this good of a loss. Anyway, I am happy with it. I just got off of the exercise bike. I rode 30 min..I had to wait until everybody was in bed to exercise, because everyone was needing me every second. I'm about to go do my toning, and tonight is the night for my weights. One of my friends came over last night and showed me how she does toning on her yoga ball while she watches t.v. I can't wait to try the stuff she showed me. I'm trying so hard to stay motivated....

Well, I'll be more chatty tomorrow. Still have the kitchen to clean too....and backpacks to get ready,,,etc. etc...

Hope you all have a fantastic evening!

hello all!

Just checkin' in.... power-washed the back deck tonight. Yowzer! Talk about upper body toning! Methinks things will be seizing up by morning for sure!

Turtle......Wow! When you get a program going, you really mean it! 6-3/4 lbs! You are incredible!

Joy......The bone density scan was just routine......my mom and paternal grandmother both had osteoporosis, so they are watching me closely. I missed the doctors call today, so will have to call tomorrow to get the official results.

Elisha.....A cruise to the Bahamas! That Steve is such a sweetheart! This should kick your motivation into high gear!

Gabwill......Sorry to hear you are feeling under the weather.....take the day off....you can catch up tomorrow.

Julie......OK, Chickie, I have the tazer locked and loaded.......back on track for you!

Lisa.....You are doing so good with the food control.....and it shows with that 3 pound loss! You go girl!

Andrea..... You are right on plan with the diet and exercise and even the water. You are working so hard and I am proud of you!

I will have to cut my comments short, as I am weary and the brain is no longer functioning. Tomorrow is Friday......I can do this!

Hello everybody...

No wonder I'm not losing any weight :( I have been consistently over my point range every day this week. Yesterday +3, Today +8. I guess I should look in the mirror and give myself some advise about failing to plan :nono: and planning to fail.

MsRD - Good for you - that power washing is great exercise. I know my deck needs to be done.... but DH broke my pressure washer and we need a new one (cannot be repaired) I planted some cascade begonias inside for my front porch baskets (north facing and shady) I will probably put them outside in mid May.... hopefully they will be presentable by then.

Lisa - WTG on the 3 pounds lost. It's great that you've found time for yourself and your exercise... even if you have to wait until everybody has gone to bed. Me, I get up at 4am.... nobody wants me to do anything for them at that time of morning :lol3:

Hey Hikein... sorry to hear you're feeling "crappy". While you're figuring out your schedule, don't forget about getting enough rest.

Well my eye lids are failing fast... I'll catch up with the rest of you tomorrow

:grouphug: