Oh ems honey!! everything will be fine, I'm sure, but I understand that you're scared..keep strong!
and your new avatar - wow! you look sooo good

momof4, I hope you get over your cold , and I'm glad that you're into Christmas this year Maybe i will be too.

LovelyLeah, gosh you poor thing you have been through alot. I can't offer anything smart or helpful, just companionship

countrybarbie, I have a few exercise vids that I don't ever use (slightly high impact aerobics) if you are interested you can have them. Anyone can have them, for that matter

I am always into Christmas. I love this time of year it sucks when someone ain't into it, it makes me sad. I am glad you are into Christmas this year momo4f.

I would be glad to take the exercise vids. my main thing that I want to loose is my butt and my stomach those are the two biggest parts of my body oh and my boobs but I always hear that they are the first part of you body to loose weight lol.

I keep going back and forth with my weight lately and it really is depressing me and making me want to just eat and say I can't do this, but am fighting hard to control the urges. I can't admit to my bf how much I weigh cause I never hear the end of the jokes but I have been going from 284 to 279 and I can't seem to get past 279 it just keeps going up down up down anyone know why this is and I have been working out. I guess 10-20 min ain't doing anything for my weight loss, but these 10-20 min have made me feel so much better about myself and I can't explain the feeling but it a good feeling. Since I started exercising my head is so much clearer and I am so much happier except the weight ain't coming off and staying off. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? Any advice?

Hey all... sorry I've not been around, we lost the internet at home and I was away from work most of last week with a stomach flu There's a lot to catch up on so I can't do personals for everyone.. but there are a few points I would like to address..

Em's - You do look wonderful, good luck with the surgery and stay positive.

Country - 10-20 minutes is a good start, but you need to gradually increase the amount of time you work out. That combined with eating less and eating healthier will start to take the weight off. Pay attention to the calories in your food and how much you burn working out, it may not be as much as you think. Also... sorry, but I think your bf is a jerk, he obviously does not respect you, your feelings or you attempts at losing weight. I've dated guys like him, it took me a long time to realize I deserved better... You deserve better.

Holly - Enjoy your rides... we got 5" of snow over the course of a day. Someone tell me WHY do I live this far north?????? I'm going to try get into Christmas this year too... it's been a while for me but I used to LOVE all that stuff. I guess it's tougher when you can't afford anything. How's the new job?

Leah -

Hi Raven... Mom... and all other chickies, time to get back to work.

Whew!!! Hello Peeps!!! Sorry!!! DH is home for awhile to do some studying and frankly...he eats my world!!! In a good way luckily! I have been fretting a little bit because my online instructor is doing it again...or rather...NOT doing it again. She didn't post last weeks grades or the second discussion board question that was due YESTERDAY!!! Umm yeah... I have had to email her to remind her of her job several times now...I knew she wasn't going to post it...but I just didn't want to email her AGAIN! So, I waited, and then emailed my counselor today and did this weeks first discussion question so that I won't be slammed when she does get around to posting it. My counselor basically said she forwarded my email on to the supervisor (again) sigh... I really am trying to be nice, patient, and everything but I am having a little trouble today....

Wow!!! Lots of lovely new peeps! Welcome Barbie and Leah! I am sorry I don't have wonderful advice for you both but I have positive energy and virtual hugs for each of you! Does that help???

I feel guilty admitting this considering how much you wanted to see the movie Barbie but I went to see Breaking Dawn...twice...loved it... I love the books, I love the movies...and even though the critics are bagging on it and a bunch of the fans too I simply don't care. I rarely agree with the critics about stuff anyway. The Twilight series has been a source for lots of people to criticise. I wish I could have been at one of those "discussions" about the "domestic violence" portrayed by Edward & Bella.... Allow me to rant here for a second... Now...yes...technically I can see some of their points if you are looking on the surface of things and not taking some things into account. I promise not to go on too long... Edward's behavior could be construed as controlling, stalking, or creepy in certain viewpoints. However, we are not talking about a normal world or relationship here. Bella is a HUMAN hanging out with VAMPIRES and WEREWOLVES!!! He is insanely worried she will get hurt!!!! They cite the instance where he disables her truck so she doesn't run off to see Jacob in the middle of the night without him. Ummm...he is newly changed and volatile emotionally!!! Hello!!!! He proves numerous times later that he doesn't object to her having her "friend" Jacob he just would rather have her not be maimed!!! He is not isolating her...he is protecting her in a very real way!!! If she was a vampire he wouldn't be so worried about her...it is her humanity that worries him... You have to look at the world Stephenie Meyer created and leave her characters in that world...not try to bring them into ours. Okay, watching her sleep without her permission...I will concede that one point even though I found it personally sweet and endearing...

Aahh...anyway guys...sorry! Off my soapbox!!! LOL!

Holly! Awesome job with the eating and the de clutter!! I haven't been doing all that great with the eating but the exercise has been great except for the last few days...TOM...

Mom!! Awesome that you are feeling better!! Yay Christmas!!!

Aunty!!! So good to hear from you!!!

EMS! Lots of hugs and healing heading your way!!! Let us know as soon as you can!!!

Love you all!

~Raven~

I just have to say that you are right that people read to much into movies. If they don't like it then they dont have to watch it. The movie is a fantasy and I love both the books and the movies I can't wait till I get to go see it

On another note I have to admit I am starting to love my butt lol. I have been doing squats and have to say I can feel the work outs. I lost one pound since last week but I am happy just hope it don't go back up and I can get past 279. I be so happy when I can say 179 lol. Anyways just had to say that today work out was awesome. I even "played" on the wii todaY. I did some boxing on wii sport. Think tomorrow I will do some zumba. Right now the belt comes with it won't fit around me. I was devastated when I tryed to put it on and would go around me so that is one my goals it to be able to wear the wii zumba belt..

I am trying no to eat the whole house. I am so stressed with school and finding a job and having no money while it being the Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hoping I find a job soon.

Hey ladies, going to try and join the chat... I'm with ya, Escapist movies are fun, I like a lot of things other people consider frivolous and silly ah well c'est la vie. If it makes you smile for a little while I'm all for it.

Countrybarbie - I am so glad that you are feeling awesome after you work out!! I have been working out pretty regularly for years and I credit it for helping me feel alot younger than almost 51. However...I agree with chicks on this site, who say that losing weight is like 80% diet, 20% exercise. I guess you really have to tackle the issue of how much food goes into the body. You will certainly burn calories during exercise, and you do continue to burn more calories afterward, but for weight loss you really have to make the deficit.

ems - I am thinking of you, chickie!! hope with all my heart the operation was smooth and trouble-free.

silentarctic!

Ravengirl - you have been very patient with that instructor and her lateness!! Thanks for the kudos on the de-cluttering. The only thing DH has noticed missing is the portable sewing machine that has been on our bedroom floor for close to 20 years. YES 20 years. And not touched for 20 years. He wasn't criticising, just noticed.

Hi Aunty Jam! sorry you didn't have Interwebz for a while. We just got 10" of snow, hard to believe I went out to lunch with my older son on our motorcycles just one week ago! New job is OK, I'm not hatin it...yet Though a skeevy old man who has tried to hit on me before, asked me out of nowhere - "how long does it take you to get home?" What the **** do you care?? Go away, skeevy old man!

Hi Leah...mom...Marie!

I have still been feeling good..which is amazing for me. I don't know what I am doing right but I guess I will continue My boss even noticed the other day. "Holly's singing?" (we are actually lucky to have good Sirius music on all day) I never forget my med; I have been using my Happy Light as many times as I can remember. And ...for me to think "Christmas is coming" does NOT make me automatically go "who the eff cares" like I usually do.

hey girls everything went well thanks they said they dont wanna see me for a follow up so got the all clear thank god. THey do however think i have ibs and that what the bowel pain was and not endermitriosis they didnt mention my bulky ovaries so they must be ok now. hope your all well xxx

Oh ems that is great!! but not great about the IB. Is that something you know about or do you have to research about what to eat/do about it.

I ... am ... still... doing .... good! Almost afraid to say it. I'm psyched because I just got from a rare motorcycle ride, rare because usually we're buried in snow and cold at this time. But the snow from a week ago is all gone, and it was almost 50 degrees with sun a little while ago (clouded up now). And as I was riding home, looking at the kinda desolate landscape, it did not fill me with despair!! as it certainly would in the past. I don't know what is different this season, but i am good. Thank god!!!

i have not really looked at diet for ib ilhave to research it we havent had any snow here yet in walesthanksgod ihate it lol glad your feeling good holly xxx

Helllooooo!!! Sorry, sorry, sorry! DH went back to work today!!! Wish him luck he has a huge thing going on today!!! It has been great having him home...lots of snuggling...more love (if you know what I mean....uhhhmmmm...lol) Now though, time to get back into my routine! I haven't really been slacking much on the workouts but my journal, some emails I need to do...etc. Yoga, the gym, my meditation has all been going well. My instructor for Body Pump was sick on Tues so no class that day...and I didn't have my Itouch with me so we went and found DDs new shoes and made an appt for her car's alignment. It wasn't a wasted trip. My weight really isn't budging still. I have an appt for a pap next week and I am going to talk to her about a thyroid panel to just see if that could be an issue. Otherwise I have just upped my exercise to an hour (6 days a week if I can make it) Body Pump still twice a week, yoga twice a week and other cardio on the other days. Yesterday I tried the freeform Stairmaster and it totally kicked my butt. I had to put it on level 3 for my 30 mins. I was watching my heart rate and it was about 150 the entire time... Then I hit the treadmill at 3 incline and 3.6 for 30mins...(I am working toward 4.0)

EMS! So happy to hear things are good!!
Holly!!! Great that you are still feeling good and that you got a ride in!! Yay!!! And! Are you freaking out about Sons of Anarchy!!!! OMG!!!

Everyone! I am sorry! I seriously have to jam! Yoga...

Love you guys!!!

~Raven~

Hey guys, just thought I'd check in... things here are about the same and we still don't have internet at home We're going to start mooching off the neighbors, just waiting for hubby to set it up. I haven't worked out lately and I know I'm gaining weight again. So hard to get going.... ug.

thanks raven i fancy doing body bump is it any good? x

Keep positive aunty jam youw illget there xxx

Well thought I would check in with yall. I am 1 pound away from being at my before thanksgiving weight. 10 pounds till I am at my NYE weight goal.

I am happy to say that I had a ft long subway sub instead of a lrg pizza today. I however did eat half slice of pizza without crust.

I am having hard time getting motivated to exercise but guess I have to do it till I love it...

Aunty I hear you I am having a hard time getting motivated to exercise but guess we have to make ourself want to do it till we want to do it and love it

Woo hoo!!! I am flying high today Peeps!!! I got up this morning and did some weights on my own!!! Gasp!!! I know!!! And!!! I did a 2 MINUTE PLANK People!!!! I thought I was going to die but I did it. Then I got on the treadmill for an hour and did a 20 minute or so yoga cooldown... I feel...amazing... Took a shower...a little nap...a little snuggle with the Hubby... It is a wonderful day!!! And!!! As if the day could get any better my mala from the Tibetan Nun project came today!! I ordered an amethyst mala made by Buddhist nuns in India in exile...it feels so nice...I can feel the energy in it and it feels very comforting. (I am a rock girl in case you are new...hehehe)

I took DD driving yesterday! She is learning fast...she just needs more practice, she is a fast learner...she pays attention and I think she is going to do really well. We are going to go out again tomorrow...maybe grab some lunch and go see Three Musketeers...

Body Pump is a great class! I highly recommend it! It will kick...your...butt...hard!!! I am crazy about my instructor...she is highly motivating... I think I have found the missing piece to my puzzle. It makes sense really, I read in a Health article that the cardio, strength training, and flexibility are the three hallmarks of good health as you get older. I know that I haven't felt this good in a really long time. I think the gym was the missing piece...the yoga is a part...the meditation is a part...but the gym was the missing piece.

I hope you guys are all feeling as wonderful as me today!!! Big hugs to everyone!!!

~Raven~