:welcome: coffeeplease and ryangirl! And coffeeplease, yes, cleaning and all that other stuff does count, because being up and about is better than being on the couch!

Emma, lol about, "after all this talk of numbers, I forget I don't care about weight..." Hard habit to break, those numbers.

Samantha, happy back-to-school week. Speech pathology, right? Both of my daughters did speech therapy for enunciation issues. We had the kindest, most caring speech therapists -- very special people. One of my friends is a speech therapist at a hospital. It's a perfect job for a mom. She works part-time, makes good money, and leaves her job at work (whereas many moms end up bringing work home to do after the kids go to bed, while they watch TV, etc). Great career choice.

Ryangirl, before I joined 3FC I always tried to lose weight through exercise alone. I could usually get down to 132 or so. Lots of people here say it's 80% food and 20% exercise, and I believe it! It wasn't until I got a handle on the food that I was really able to get my weight down... and now that I'm getting lax with the food, I see lbs coming back on, even though I'm exercising. ~sigh~

Neurodoc, good to "see" you here again! I saw on your profile that you're a neurologist and mom, so I can imagine you are not eager to give up any more sleep than necessary!

Ncuneo, congrats on the scale moving! I wish mine were moving in that direction! :(

Chelsey, boy I wish I could lose 8 pounds after a day of bad eating... well, maybe not... I'd be way too skinny I think. ;)

Ainsleymom, slow and steady definitely wins! Just keep on walking (I need to do that today, too!).

Anyone seen Bamagirl anywhere? I think she must have gone back to school and gotten busy.

Well, I had an OK day calorie-wise yesterday right up until I made the candy topper for DD's birthday cake (her bday is tomorrow -- 7 yrs old!). I ended up eating TONS of the melted candy. TONS. So much that I felt sick. The worst part is that it isn't even good candy. I have Godiva in the pantry that I haven't touched. Why am I loading up on crap? Because it was right there, I guess... but then I stepped on the scale this morning and I'm back up to 123.6. I can't really cut calories this week because my half-marathon is next Sunday, and I need to go in feeling strong, but I will keep strictly to maintenance calories and I will eat HEALTHY food between now and then, and then buckle down on the 13th. I'd really love to be 120 when I walk into my 20-year high school reunion on October 23.

Happy Friday, Feathers! I will check in after my daughter's birthday extravaganza (did I mention pony rides!) this weekend.

Amy: yup, speech pathology. i love the major! You can work with a whole spectrum of ages and disorders when you graduate! For me, I want to work in either skilled nursing facilities or hospitals. I love the evaluations and I'm very interested in swallowing, aphasia, TBI's and dementia. I guess I like the old and sick hahah! And my mom's always said that about he career...it's perfect for a mom!

So although I went to the gym, I ended up having two chocolate peanut butter chip cookies with a glass of milk, a bit of candy, and a glass of red wine. I felt like I needed a celebration for surviving my first week of grad school hahah! But my tummy is paying for it today. I have a feeling I'm taking Greg out to dinner for his birthday, but I'm not completely sure. So just in case, I'm eating a 100 calorie yogurt, a banana, and oatmeal with peanut butter mixed in. It's a big breakfast, but once I'm done the 2 hour drive home, I have to sit in the service shop so my car can get looked out, so I won't be eating for a LONG time.

So I was complaining to a friend of mine yesterday about how I can't seem to get the exercise in, and how hard it is to get up early in order to do it. She suggested that I find a personal trainer who would be willing to work with me 1-2 days/week at that early hour, both because it would help my motivation (you really don't want to stand someone up), and because it might teach me a thing or two (as in; I don't actually know everything about exercising). I thought this was a great idea, and I think I can afford at least a few weeks of twice-weekly sessions since I've saved all this money on clothes by losing weight (I reclaimed my entire wardrobe of size 6s). Now I just have to find a trainer who's willing to get up and meet me at the gym at 7.

Some comments:
Dianne- good on you for running 6 days/week. I can't believe that a 3 mile run is only 160 calories though; it must take you ~25 min. to do it, and that should be good for about 300 cal or so. Also, sometimes my scale does that too (reads 2 different weights 2 minutes apart, or gives me the "E"), but I don't think it's broken; when I move it to a different part of the floor, it reads normally again. Finally, sorry but I don't know much about sonography. Good luck in your studies though.

Emma, I totally agree with you about taking photos to document progress. But they really have to be in similar clothes, and in the same position to be accurate.

Ncuneo, you are amazing. I don't know anyone who's lost as much weight as you, and is still going strong. Good for you.

Have a good, OP weekend everybody!

Hello feathers -

So sorry that I haven't been popping by. Been so busy at this internship, having a great time but didn't get this government funding which means I now can't afford gym membership, and I no longer qualify for the community gym because I have a 'job'. Catch 22. Which has made me a bit down as I always lose a couple of pounds on the weeks that I exercise.

Although I am trying to be sensible, I am no longer calorie counting. And actually have been eating what I want. And I have been happily maintaining at 123-124 which is great. I'm very happy with that, but obviously I'd love to be down at 121 again.

Has anyone had any luck with exercise videos? Not sure what they are like as an alternative.

How is everyone else? September is such a busy month with school going back...

Best,

D x

Neurodoc I actually run 10 minute miles. The reason I think I am only burning 160 calories is because I went to a trainer and they said someone with my height and weight really is only burning about 160 for 30 minutes of moderate exercise. I thought it was a little low but I have heard everyone over estimates how much they are really burning during exercise!

My September update
 

Hi everyone! I confess I have not read everyone else's updates yet because I was so excited to post my own. I promise I will go back as soon as I am finished!

I avoided the scale for 3 weeks because I was getting back into the swing of teaching and felt frustrated after a summer of HARD workouts and little weight loss. Yesterday I stepped on and had lost 2.5 lbs. in those 3 weeks! That puts me at 132--just a step away from the 120s where I feel much more at home!

I have been eating Kashi Go Lean for breakfast every day, have cut out high fructose corn syrup, and I am running 5 miles about twice a week. This is a lot less than I was workignout, but since I am back to teaching I am not snacking and eating out much at all.

Ok...now I am off to read all of your posts to celebrate your little victories!:carrot:

Update from Tennessee. . . .
I've finished a whole week and a half here at school without failing to exercise!!!!!! Major, MAJOR personal victory for me. I have always given up when the pressure of academics pinched me in any way (and my workload this semester has been intense from the get-go. I have 20 credit hours this time, and this coming week I have a project/paper that is 1/3 of my grade, two major quizzes, and a science exam with a professor that has been named, for good reason, "heartless Hartzel." But I WILL NOT GIVE UP! :).
On the food front, I've been eating mostly vegetarian because our cafeteria doesn't serve lean cuts of meat (I will occasionally eat their chicken or turkey, but that's about it). Thus, I've been doing peanut butter, beans from the salad bar, skim milk, and egg white omelets (once in a while cheese or cottage cheese, but again, they only have the full-fat versions) to keep my protein levels up. But the fruit and the veggies are definitely at their end-of-the-summer peak of sweetness--soo good!

Hey Feathers...

September has been really good to me so far. I've been on plan for the last two weeks and I'm happily back to 153. I've found a new love in hot lemon tea. I have been drinking it during the day whenever I get a craving and that has really been helping me get back on track.

The No"S" diet? That's hilarious. It's too funny because when I think about it I have been doing that diet but wasn't aware there was one out there with an official name.

I love the fall season, can't wait for the holidays to be here and hopefully a new me after hitting my goal of 135. My first mini-goal is 5 pounds by the end of September and another 5 pounds by Halloween!

Hello everyone!

Had a great/bad weekend. Lifewise, it was great! My daughter's bday party was so wonderful. If you even need to entertain 13 little girls, I have one piece of advice: hire a pony. Everyone had a blast and a bunch of the moms hung out too, and it was nice to see them (in between all the running around). I ate way too much frosting while making the cake, but it came out beautifully and my DD loved it! Foodwise, it was a bad weekend. I had two great runs but I "out-ate' them, between the party and having my in-laws here. It is so hard to stay on-plan, even in your own home, with guest. Oh, well. I've got a good week ahead and six days til my half-marathon! WOO-HOO!!! :woohoo:

Samantha, hope you had a great bday dinner with Greg!

Neurodoc, I think a trainer is a great idea! Super-motivating and you can learn so much from them. I think I'm going to ask for a set of training sessions for xmas. I'm sure you can find one who comes early in the am -- I think early mornings are part of that profession. :coffee:

Dora, I'm sorry about the gym conundrum. I really like the Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred video. It's only a 20 minute workout (plus very short cooldown). I add on more stretching at the end, and then you can add on a walk or quick jog. I think there is a forum around here or subforum or stickie on the exercise forum about videos.

Chelsey, I would think that 10-minute miles would burn a little more. I estimate about 90 calories/mile at that speed.

Kwinkle, WTG on a summer of excellent racing and now a scale victory! Happy back-to-school. What do you teach?

Oneoftwelve, holy moly 20 credit hours! Granted, things may have changed in the 16 years :fr: since I graduated, but that is a ton, isn't it? How can something so early in the semester be worth so much (1/3 of your grade?!?!). You haven't had time to learn anything yet! They go so fast in college. I remember being shocked when the professors lectured on the first day. I'm thinking, "Isn't this, 'Hand out the syllabus, get everyone comfy' day?" No such thing!

Sweetykins, :bravo: for two weeks on plan. I have been struggling with plan lately. I am going to try lemon tea. I'm so excited for Fall, too. Tomorrow morning I will start putting out my Fall wreath and other decorations! Yea!

Hey everyone! I haven't had much time to be on here lately...

Amy: You may not be doing as well as you would like to do eating wise, but I think its okay for you to be naughty every once in a while! Im sure you will get right back to where you would like to be soon enough! (your not too far off anyways!)

Dianne: how is all the running going? have you been able to stick to your plan of 6x/weekly? (I could never!!) I wish I could pick up running but its just something my body cant handle.. unfortunately.

Sweetykins: Congrats for staying on plan! I also can not wait for the holidays! and Im sure you will lose 10lbs by Halloween!

oneoftwelve: 20 CREDIT HOURS! I once took 6 classes at once but I believe it was only 18 credit hours.. is your school 3 or 4 credits for major classes? Also, I must say eating right under so much pressure and with so few options takes a great amount of will power! So keep up the good work!!!

kwinkle: CONGRATS on the loss!!!! Always a good surprise!!


As for me... I have been doing well it has been a little over a month now since I started my weight loss journey... I have been doing good, staying on plan, have had one cheat day.. which I still stayed on plan calorie wise.. I just ate less healthy. I haven't really had a hard time with any temptations. However, Starbucks just got the pumpkin spice latte back... so it will be tough resisting getting one every day.... BOO. So far I have lost 8lbs and yesterday I saw 127.8 so I'm still moving in the right direction... OH! and I have been attempting to work out! I have been doing about 25 minutes on the cross trainer which really seems to help, and makes me feel better so yay!

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

thanks for the welcomes everybody!
the weekend was all kinds of bad things since that's when I throw my rules away ... I didn't snack too much or whatever, just a few oat cookie/biscuit things. But the alcohol! Ohthealcohol. I can not drink any more, I am such a lightweight these days ... and all the calories! I didn't drink THAT much (I thought), but it totally did me in so I'll have to be more careful in future!
I did two miles/30 mins of a 'walk away the pounds' dvd yesterday ... I had to do it in two 15 minute sections. I am soooo unfit I can't believe it! I think I'm going to try to do a minimum of 15 minutes of exercise videos (more if I can) every day.
It's weigh in day for me (because I started all this stuff last Tuesday) -- and the scale reads 120.6, down 1.4lbs! woop. I know that a small amount like that could be all sorts of normal-fluctuation things rather than fat loss, but it's still motivating to see a lower number on the scale!
neurodoc, if you can afford a trainer, that's a great idea! Nothing is motivating quite like the need to NOT stand somebody else up! haha
oneoftwelve -- that's GREAT on the exercise. I have a real motivation problem with exercise so that seems like a huge achievement! :D

Hi guys!

Had a very off-plan Labor Day weekend unfortunately. Took a mini-vacation with my husband and kids to a water park resort and our eating was pretty awful. Yummy, but bad for the waistline. Everything is tight on me lately, and I have had the hardest time pulling it together. I don't know why, but I have lost motivation lately. I'm trying to find it again this week!

It's so nice to have a place like this to just vent, confess, and find encouragement. Here's hoping we all have successes in September!

OHHHH Feathers; this weekend was horrible!

I went to the Usher concert Friday and went off plan badly. Then Saturday I swore I would do well to make up for it. Got to about 8pm that night at only about 1200 calories and something inside me snapped and I binged. Shot up to about 1900 calories that night. Then I SWORE Sunday I would be good and make up for the past two days. Welp, Sunday was the worst. Drank, ate a cheeseburger, baked beans, chips, etc. Then if that wasn't enough, at 1:30 am after being out all night from drinking, drunk Chelsey thought a Frisco melt and fries from Steak N Shake would be necessary (If you havent already, look up the nutrition facts on Frisco melts; 72g of fat!!). I recorded everything in Dailyplate from that day (what I could remember :o) and my calories were about 4500. Needless to say, I am SCARED to step on the scale. I have decided Mon-wed of this week I will eat at 1200 calories and then jump back on my 1500 calories plan. I am hoping the 1200 days will get rid of any weight I gained from the horrible weekend!

At this rate, I am never going to lose weight and will just be battling maintaining. I need to stop these cheat days so much. It is NOT necessary! Oh well new week and I am NOT giving up!

Kwinkle That is AMAZING that you lost 2.5 pounds without even knowing it! Good work! That must have been a huge motivation to keep it up...

OneofTwelve :bravo: on keeping up with your exercise AND doing it with all of that school work and stress. I truly understand how hard that is so I give you major kudos for sticking to it. :carrot::cb:

Sweetykins Glad you have been doing so well with September. My September has been dead opposite. Rarely on plan, mostly off :o I too am a big tea lover! I drink a glass of hot green tea whenever I crave and it helps most of the time! AND its so healthy for you! yay!

Amy It takes A LOT of will power not to eat icing while making a cake. And raw cake batter? Yumm! Forget it, I couldnt do it :D Im glad your daughter liked it though. So it was worth it. And trust me, those little things you do for her mean more to her than you know. My mom still till this day makes my sisters (two older) and I birthday cakes every year and it means so much to me! Its those little things you moms do that just melt my heart :hug: Forgive me for being exercise illiterate but what goes into a half marathon? Sounds intense..

lilmisspope WOW! 8 pds in one month! Congrats!! You must have been really on plan. Good for you! I need to take notes from you. I wish I could do one whole month completely on plan. I hate exercising but even more so do I hate eating healthy 100%. It sounds pathetic but I need my cheat days or I will go insane! I didn't do too well with my exercise this past weekend between being sick and the mornings I was hungover :o But I am back on plan now :)

Coffee I think your exercise plan sounds very reasonable and I believe you will be able to stick with it. I find it hard to believe you are so out of shape at 120 pounds missy! But we all know our own bodies and when they are at the best and worst.

New goal - Start waking up at 7am and do my 30 minutes of running in the mornings! I would love to not have to worry/ think about it all day. This morning was my first day! And it felt a little cool outside. OH I CANT wait till Fall!!!

Happy Tuesday! Yay for a 4 day week :D

That's hilarious ... OK, maybe you don't feel like it's hilarious, but the way you described it is! I get a kick out of reading your updates. Maybe you should have a blog?

I have an update. After nearly two YEARS of trying to get back into the 130s, which included trying to lose ~3 lbs for the last SIX MONTHS, things have finally turned around for me. And the Beck books (esp "The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person") are what did it. I am buying this book for my family members who have struggled their entire lives with weight loss. It really is a whole new perspective, no matter what plan you follow.

So think about something like that to help get your groove going. The Thin Commandments has some good stuff as well, similar concepts.

ANYway, it's the thing that jump-started me out of a long, disheartening rut.
I have finally dropped into the 130s (I think for real), 138.2 today :carrot:and I have hope that I might actually achieve my goals now.

I got very discouraged last week by my measurements, but I will not be derailed. I am going to eat healthy, and exercise, and my body will end up where it ends up.
Oh, and my plan is to bump up the exercise in October :yikes:

Dianne: Im sorry your weekend didn't go the way you had planned (eating wise). I believe I have said this to you before, but I think you need some more support from your friends if you really are wanting to lose weight. Try having one of them keep an eye on you when you are drinking (this seems to be when you mess up the most) give them a few rules. Even if you are drunk if you are being questioned before you order your Frisco Melt and Fries... you might not order it. Just a thought! .. As for me I have stayed on plan ever since I started... There has not been one day that I have gone over calories. I have also cut out many things. Such as soda, fast food, most eating out and switched to only 100% whole wheat. I just decided to go for it. I gained my weight about a year ago and wanted to lose it ever since.... I attempted dieting about 10 times (I gained 20lbs in 2 months just 8months before my wedding) Lets just say all the stress over the wedding did not give me motivation to lose weight like most! So I just maintained. But I finally decided that I REALLY REALLY wanted this and that it was important to me! ... sorry to rant but I think if you have the support of your friends and you are really on board then you will lose your weight too!!!

Emma: congrats on the drop!!! You read a lot of weight loss books, any good low cal cookbooks?

Hope everyone is having a good week!