Ilene :coach: I did NOT EAT THAT ICE CREAM! I had oats with cold milk and a pear and Splenda - lots better :D And yes, take care of your elbow, it might be from the biking :dunno:

It's SO :sunny: here today - I'm actually HOT :hot: in the office! I'm usually the one bundled up in 3 jumpers but I think I may have aclimatised to my lower-fat body :D

I did chest and tris yesterday - but my bis are still aching from Tuesday :lol:

Just for those gals who love cereal in the morning, but can't justify it because of the high-carb/low-protein. This morning I had 1/2 C oats, with 1/4 C dried skimmed milk and 1/2 C skimmed milk. Gives you about 260kcals and 25% prot and tastes soooooo creamy! I suppose you could do the milk + dried milk on any cereal to boost the protein. Just a thought! Anyway I have a nice musli this afternoon, oats, dried milk, dried cranberries, raisins and pumpkin seeds :T

I'm feeling less stressed about my bridesmaid frocks, I have agreement from one on the nice frock I was looking at, so I just have to talk one round, then I'm sure another will be happy with whatever, she just about said so! Hurrah!

:high: Jen for not eating the ice cream :dance:

Happy Friday Eve! I've been in an annoyingly good mood this week :dizzy: and I'm lovin' it! I really think it has to do with the increase in my exercise..."they" were right all along about exercise helping with depression. We had a lot of rain yesrerday evening, so I just hung out at the gym and did some extra time on the treadmill. The last two days my food has been excellent too. Tomorrow we are having a retirement party for a co-worker and there will be cake involved...must resist cake....then on Sat. eve, I'm going to a going away party for a friend....So, some challenges coming up.

I hope everyone is doing well. It is so great to read about everyone's challenges and successes!!!

Elizabeth

Hey Elizabeth! :wave:

Who knew about that exercise stuff actually making us FEEL good! Wierd eh?

Friday Eve, that's a good one! I'm still thinking it's Tuesday for some reason! :dizzy:

Hello Ladies!!!

I am pretty new to posting here but have been reading posts for about a month or so. You gals are all GREAT! I love reading your posts! Anyway.. a little about me.... I am 32, 5'4", I have two beautiful kids my son is 4 1/2 and my daughter is 2 1/2. When I delivered my daughter I went into the hospital weighing about 185 (Oct of 2003). I was somehow able to get some of the weight off and down to 156 pounds by March of 2005. Then I took another 10 pounds off from March of 2005 to May of 2005 to put me at 146. I did that by watching what I ate. I managed to keep it off all year and then I started really exercising and tracking what I ate this March of 2006 and I am now at 137 pounds.. but I have been bouncing back and forth between 137 and 139 for about 3 or 4 weeks.... So I am wondering... how long have you all been "almost there"? How long have you stayed at the same weight and how many pounds are you still needing to lose????
I keep my calories at about 1200 - and I am thinking that based on what I used to eat that is about a third of what I was consuming. and pretty much maintaining my weight.. I also did not exercise at all.. and now I try to exercise about 4 days a week 30 to 45 min a day .. and I do some weight training about 3 to 4 days a week.. and I walk 38 flights of stairs to my office 5 days a week... and it seems that I should be 20 pounds less by now..not 9 pounds.... is it this hard because I am getting so close to goal now???
HELP!!!!
Hugs....

Hi there KIM!! Welcome!! I too am new here. But I plan to stick around!! These gals are the coolest!! In answer to ur question......I have been between 138-145 lbs. since December!!! Yup, I said December!! It has been the most annoying experience I have had!! I cant seem to keep my motivation going. I get it then lose it all in the same darn week!! UGH!! Anyhooo, the least weight I was at was 138 lbs, reached and kept in Apr. 2006. However, it slid back up and then up again and then well you get the idea. Now I have been stuck at 144 basically(give or take 1-2 lbs) ever since. I dont know why either. I havent changed anything except exercise. But thats fixin ta change. I will be getting my new BB Bootcamp elite dvds next week!!!! Then, it should be smooth sailing from there!! CROSS THOSE FINGERS GALS!!! I am hoping to reach my goal weight by mid June. Ok, now, to ur comment bout ur weight.....I think its wonderful what you have done!! It sounds like you are doing what you need to do to get those last few off. Maybe you arent losing any weight right now becasue of the weight training. Muscle weighs more than fat!!! Which is a good thing hon!! You may be the same in weight, but slimming up everywhere and just dont see it!! Great job to ya, and dont fret, we are all in the same boat in here!!! Keep up the great job and good luck to ya!! And YES the closer you get to ur goal weight, the harder it is to lose it. Tis ok though, you'll get there.......we all will!!! SMILE!!!

Cha-

Thanks for the warm welcome!! Congrats on your 87 pound lost. You look GREAT. Ahhh those last few pounds...... how they haunt me :) Oh, well...... I've got nothing but time... .they are worth waiting for.

:welcome2:

Welcome, Kim. I am glad you found us here. My, isn't our little group growing?

To answer your questions...My lowest weight was 134 back in December. After getting stuck there I chose to take a maintainence break. I wasn't trying to relax my "lifestyle" per se but, since I wasn't losing anyway, I thought I'd do a little maintainence practice. Practice turned into complacency and complacency turned into 8 pounds and 8 into 15. :o It has been tough getting my groove back but I'm doing much better. For a while there I just couldn't get more than a few great days under my belt at a time. Or, my eating would be perfect but I wouldn't exercise like I needed to (or vice versa). But, now, I feel like I'm BACK!:D

I think there are lots of reasons that the last pounds are the hardest. Physically, we've thinned ourselves enough that it takes fewer calories to fuel us and so there isn't a lot of room to work with in terms of reducing our intake. And, most of us, only have so many hours to dedicate to exercise in any given week. I could lose weight in no time if I could spend as much time at the gym as I wanted to but, I've got kids to raise, and more than a couple of hours a day (if that) is all I can afford to schedule. So, I've just got to learn to live with tiny losses, if any, from week to week. That is one of the reasons I've pretty much quit getting on the scale. I used to be one of those people who would weigh myself several times a day. Now, though, what's the point?

Also, I think once you are as close to goal as we are losing weight becomes a tedious mental task. I've accepted that I will ALWAYS have to measure my portions, count calories, and work out on a regular basis. I'm okay with that. But, the week to week expectation of losing weight has worn me out mentally and emotionally (another reason I'm not weighing myself lately).

Being this close to goal (and having been even closer ;) ) has required a complete shift in my attitude towards my weight, my goals, my methods. Actually, it reminds me a lot of what I went through the first couple of months when I started losing. It took incredible effort back then to appreciate losing 2 pounds because I had soooo far to go. I had to make myself keep going for what seemed like very little payoff. Finally, I started noticing the changes and feeling good about my progress. For a few months there it was smooth sailing. I actually ENJOYED the whole process. Now, I'm back where I started only without the 2 pounds a week!:( But, just like before I will keep pushing myself and waiting for my body to do what it is supposed to. But that doesn't mean I have to LIKE it. :mad:

Ilene, I hope your arm is feeling better soon! :hug:

Elizabeth, we had the same rain front that you guys did. But, today is absolutley gorgeous!:flow1: It is usually unbearably hot by this time of year but we've got our windows open - it isn't even humid out. I'm enjoying it while I can, that is for sure!

Hi Kim!

I've been "almost there" since about, well February 2005. :eek: however I've lost inches and not pounds since then :D

Morning all!

I almost conked out at kickboxing last night, I forgot to drink during the day - I think I only had one pint of squash.. I'm on to pint number 6 today already - it's not even lunch!

The scales are being a PITA. Those pounds aren't leaving as easily as they came! :doh: :tantrum: I've got 6 good eating days under my belt - I've been to the gym twice, going again today and yoga, been kickboxing for 4 hours... You'd think something would give wouldn't you? :mad:

Anyway.. It'll happen, it might be because I'm dehydrated a bit, I hope this water helps!

I've got stupid stress at work. Manageable, but still :tantrum: Roll on the weekend! :D

Lucky, Superwoman...
Thanks for the sharing your story with me.
You guys are doing great keeping up with it for sooo long. I know it gets hard sometimes. There have been many times when I was thinking "the heck with this". Then a little voice inside me says..... "don't give up". So, I guess we are going to become good friends. :)

Good morning everyone!

Well, I am leaving in 4 hours to start my VACATION!!! I am really excited. My DH and two children are off to The Beach Club in Gulf Shores Alabama until May 20th. Sooooooo I will be out of touch for the next week. I will catch up with you girls as soon as I return. I am sure I will have brought a couple of "extra pounds" with me so I am sure I will need some serious support to get me back in the game.

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL week and I will catch up on your posts as soon as I get back.

Thanks so much for making me feel so welcomed here!

Kim, Have a greta vacation hon!!!!

Morning all!! Today was yucky for me!! I drove so much yesterday that I was majorly pooped out when I got home. I slept forever, it seems, but when 6am rolled by, I just did not want to get up!! But I did. I'm up 2 ounces from yesterday. EWW!! Anyhoooo, got my email from the BB website. They got my order and will be shipping my exercise dvds soons!!! YESSSSSS!!!! I am feeling more impatient about the dvds than I am about my TT in June!! LOL!!! Oh well. I ate fairly well yesterday. Had a bad spout with lunch because we were in the car, traveling. I had Arby's. Yup CALORIES from HECK!!! But I had a small salad for dinner with a large glass of water. No meat, fat free dressing. Hopefully now that hubby is gone to work for the next 9 days, I will be able to get back on track!! I always do so poorly while he is home!! We eat out like almost everyday!! But when he's gone, I can actually focus on my meals. Wish me luck!!

Kim, have fun on your vacation! I've been 'almost there' since March/06. Up until that point I had been losing quite consistantly. Looking back over my journals I now realize the fact that I'm not there yet is because of my lack of control over food. DUH! I kept blaming my lack of loss on the last 10-15lbs being so hard to lose. Talk about denial. :dizzy: I guess it just proves I'll have food issues for the rest of my life. Being 'normal' in size isn't the cure after all.

2frus, keep up the good eating the pounds will come back off. Have a great weekend.

Get out of my head would you!! lol I've been thinking those exact same thoughts. In my mind I started all over again on Monday. But this time I don't have 85 lbs to lose (thank goodness).

cha, Good luck with your new DVD's. I've recently started pilates and haven't quite decided if I like it or not. :?:

Elizabeth, Good to hear you're in a good mood. Personally I always feel better after exercising as well.

Ilene, hope your elbow is all better!

Susan, Did you have a good nap? I can't wait until my kids are old enough to make me supper. Actually my dd can make a pretty mean hot dog. lol

I had an awesome week. :carrot: Thanks to TOM arriving and water weight I'm down 7 lbs from Monday! So I'm back down to 153. :D

My mom and I are going for Chinese food for Mother's day at lunch but I've already factored it into my calories. My mom likes Manchu Wok(at the mall) and their website has a calorie chart. So I'm set.

Gaylyn

ARGHHH! I just spent 20 minutes posting and accidently closed my browser before it loaded. I hate it when I do that! Now I'm out of time and will have to catch up later but wanted to throw a quick "hello" out there before I headed out of the door. Have a great Friday everybody!

Hi everyone! rehearsal went well and the dinner was fabulous. Those Mennonite ladies sure can make desserts. Oi! I'll bike on Monday. I promise :)
Tomorrow is the real McCoy folks. I'll officially be someone's mother in law!

Oh, Susan Have Fun !!! I know I'm going to cry like a baby at which ever one will get married first, heck I cried at my son's First Holy Communion :rolleyes:... Now this year he's graduating from HS, I'm gonna cry a gain ... I'm such a baby :tantrum:

Kim :welcome: have a great vacation!! I've been "almost there" for the last year and a half it seems... I gotta get crackalakin' :lol: ... I've done very well this week though :yes: I'm happy to say!

My elbow is feel much much better thanks for the well wishes girls :hug:...

Tomorrow I'm going to try to sleep longer. I bought two boxes of nose tissue for today :)

Susan, I hope you enjoyed the wedding and didn't cause a flood.;) I am sure everything was beautiful.

Okay, girls, I've got a new exercise plan. I've always been a loner when it comes to working out. I like to throw on my headphones and let the rest of the world disappear. Well, I met up with my best friend from high school for a walk this afternoon and it was sooooo nice. She lives nearby and we've kept in touch but we have the hardest time actually getting together. We'll chat on the phone every couple of months but that is about it. We've decided now that we'll start running together in the afternoons. I'm really excited. I'll be going to the gym in the mornings for weights so I'll still have my alone time and we'll walk or run in the afternoons for cardio. The time will fly by!

Today was a great eating day and it is a good thing. I baked myself a chocolate cake for Mother's day. Well, the kids wanted to do that for me so we did it together. It is going to be hard to have just one small piece tomorrow but I didn't want to begrudge them the gift they wanted to give. Maybe I'll eat my serving and deliver the rest to MY mother. :devil:

Have a great weekend!

Thanks everyone. It was an awesome day! I didn't cause a flood but I used a few tissue!

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm sure the boys are going to fix something, so I'll eat what they make me. Besides that I think I'll stick to fruit, black coffee and litres of water! And for exercise ... I think I'll nap ;)

Tomorrow .... I'll read very carefully (because you all are doing so well and are a great encouragement to me) and get my groove back on.

Hi Ladies,

I've returned from my dream trip (to the Galapagos Islands and the Andes) in one piece but I'm afraid the one piece might be a pound or three heavier. No worries though...actually I was fine during the trip because I wasn't thrilled with the food and was pretty active during the trip. The three days since I've been back have been very naughty, however, as I have been indulging myself by eating "real" food that I missed while in South America....nothing too bad (unless you count dinner for Mom today) but nothing too good either lol.

Anyway, even though I've not totally fallen off the wagon I will be getting back on track tomorrow. I'll post my WW stats on Wednesday...keep your fingers crossed for me please!

I'll be catching up with your posts over the next few days so please forgive me if I've missed any big news...it will take me a little while to catch up.

:wave: Just a quicky to say that if you haven't noticed - there's now a "Featherweights" section in Support Groups. I pm'd Jennifer to ask if she could move us up there - after all, WE STARTED IT! :lol: ;)

I'll be back later - lots of stressy work. But in a good way! ;)

I came across the Featherweights sub forum this morning. I think that is such a great idea and I'm glad they did it.

I have two words to describe Mother's Day. Chocolate cake. I'm actually pretty pleased with myself. I ate more than I should have but nearly as much as I wanted to. That counts for something, right? I cut it up yesterday and sent half to my sister and several pieces to our friends across the street. I'll admit though every time I would put a piece in the container I said to myself, "Do you REALLY want to give this piece away?" And then I'd have to answer, "No. No I don't. But I'm GOING to!" And today our house is almost cake free. Just three small pieces left - one for each kid this afternoon.

I am really enjoying the outdoor walks my friend and I have been going on. We've been rotating the tracks we use so our scenery changes every day. Yesterday we were on a trail of the Natchez Trace and crossed paths with a fox, a bunny, and a baby deer. Pretty cool. We've also come up with a plan to build our running skills. She's got an interval training program that we are going to start with. And, she doesn't know it yet, but I'm going to talk her into doing one of the local charity runs next year. I didn't even realize what an exercise rut I had been in until now. I'm actually ENJOYING it again!

Daisimae, I'm am glad to hear you had a good trip and made it home safely. I hope your WW stats are where you want them to be. I'm sure they will be fine.

I'm off to pack picnic lunches. Today is a beautiful day and I think the kids would enjoy a day at the park - and I wouldn't mind one either. Have a great day you guys!

We're over here guys :wave: I hope everyone finds us ok!!!!

I'm having a slightly mad day - and I'm up 2lbs!!! :censored: dehydration! :frypan:

Last night I taught a kickboxing class all by myself, the other instructor's bike broke down! :doh: It was fun, but the kids' hearts just weren't in it, so I let them go a little bit early. Come to think of it, they all lack motivation all the time.

Eating's been a little bit on the high side this past couple of days, not horrendous, just a few hundred calories over. I got up in the middle of the night last night and ate a chocolate biscuit thingy. I'm an idiot! :frypan: However I've hidden them away so they should be ok. I'm a little stressed, so I think that's the reason. DF and I were arguing on Sunday, and I'm not sure if he's recovered, however we did have a lovely night last night, and I feel a lot better about it than I wrote in my blog yesterday! :lol: He's a bit quiet and I'm feeling worried. He's still booking trips for us in the summer though, so he can't be thinking of leaving!

Right, really must get on with some stuff!

Laters!

Apparently either God or the moderators think I should be in the featherweights whether or not I think I'm there yet?

Morning everyone!

Jenfrus? If we can tell what an awesome young woman you are, over the internet, I'm sure DF knows he's caught a good one ;)

I asked Jennifer to move us to the featherweights... Just because I thought we all just had a few pounds to lose, not because we are necessarily light-weight. I thought this is what the featherweight thing was about??

Oh DF knows he's got a goodun, she irons all his shirts for him!!! :lol:

Well, I'm no featherweight but I'm glad they moved us up. Maybe more people will find us there. Lord knows I could use all the extra support I can find these days!

2frus, with all of your kickboxing skills would DF have the nerve to try and get away?:joker:


I had a real eye opener this morning. I put on my favorite shorts from last summer. I bought them at the end of the season so I only got to wear them a couple of times. Well, this morning - they were snug. They fit (thank goodness) but they didn't have that comfy favorite pair of shorts feel anymore. :(

So, it is time. I'm going to have to step outside of my comfort zone. I'm dropping from a range of 1500-1800 calories to 1200-1500. I've been exercising regularly for the past couple of weeks but I'm adding and extra workout in the mornings starting next week (school will be out so I'll be able to go to the gym without having to worry about a hectic morning schedule). I'm not trying to over do it or make drastic changes but it is time to get this over with. I know maintainece isn't going to be dramatically different (if at all) but I'm tired, tired, tired of trying to lose weight. I am ready to reach my goal and be done with it. Have I said that before? I'm feeling a sense of deja vu. :p

Food's high again today - not horrendous again, but still high! I think I might actually WANT a couple of low days soon, stupid buffet at work. It's something I still can't get a handle on! *sigh* At least I'm kickboxing tonight! Phew!

I guess I'm just worried that someone will notice (like I know on the brain) that I'm not really much of an example. I sincerely hope that folks who are feather weights do a better job of staying featherweight than I have.

I'm going to try to put a picture of my daughter and I in my profile.

So where's that picture, Susan?

Wow! This must be the longest thread on 3FC! Can I join you? Lucky, I'm in the same boat. My summer clothes are tight. Wearable, but tight. :p I had a feeling that last year's low wasn't real maintainable for the long haul, but it sure was nice. I need to get about halfway back.

Mel

Here's some pictures! I linked them here ....
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/show...t=83084&page=3

I am not close at all to being able to join the featherweights. I just wanted to tell all of you that you are inspiration to all of us that have just started this journey. We cant wait to be where you are. I hope each of you reach the goal that makes you happy.

I am proud to be a looser.

Susan, your family is beautiful...they must take after their mother! You are absolutely an example of a strong beautiful woman who is taking care of herself and has the looks to prove it! Don't be so hard on yourself...you are a SUCCESS even if you don't think so.

Susan! You have a lovely family. You and your daugter look absolutley radiant. And what handsome boys. By the way, by the looks of those pictures you most certainly ARE a perfect example to us featherweights!

Thanks so much for sharing!

Can I join also.

Actually, I could have written the post from getncontrol myself - it is scary how identical it is.

Basically - the excitement of steadily losing weight for 9 months is starting to wear off, and I need to pull myself together and buckle down again.

You guys are wonderful, such an inspiration.

First of all - Susan you are one tiny :hot: mama! ;) Definitely a featherweight! :yes:

Ok, next thing - work is a pain, almost 4000kcals yesterday :barf: Want to eat choccy, but too much work to do :tantrum: Will call in later when I have things under control!

Hello all newbies :wave:

Thanks everyone!
Welcome new folks!

Susan -- After seeing those pics, *I* REALLY must buckle down and fit and feel better in my clothing, you look gorgeous...

:welcome: NEWBIES we LUVS new faces :dance:

Susan what wonderful pics!! You look great and so do your kids. Glad the day went good.

We're leaving for the long weekend so I have a ton of packing to do. I have to get the camper ready and the first time out is always such a pain. Looking forward to it though. My little guy is going to be a handful this year. He's such an explorer. At least I know I'll get in lots of exercise chasing after him. lol

I'm having a good week calorie and exercise wise. Plus I was able to cut a bunch of dh's old jeans (he's grown out of them:devil: and I've shrunk into them:D ) into shorts. So, I just saved myself a bunch of money and I have shorts for camping. For some reason all of the new clothes I've bought are rather dressy.

Hello to everyone!!! And welcome to all the newbies! Have a great weekend ladies.

Gaylyn

Thanks everyone! I'm tellin' ya ... if you every need a push ... post some pictures of yourself that even you like, sit back, read the compliments ... man I am having an awesome day. Good food. Good exercise. I feel energized!

Susan, you should feel good. You are beautiful, certainly a featherweight, and your daughter looked lovely and happy.

Exercise and food were on today. I'm sure not losing as well as I have in the past! I spent 9 1/2 hours at the gym today. It's hard to look forward to my own workout when I practically live there.

Ilene, I really don't think I'm a newbie :lol3: OK, maybe to this thread, so thanks for the welcome! You just wanted to use that dancing puff guy smilie :)

Mel

You know I will use that dancing puff guy any chance I get :D !