Originally Posted by SusanB:
OK I've thought about it ....
I'm somewhere in between "figuring out how to start" "finding what works"and "maintaining".

That's where I am. Oddly enough, I'm maintaining when I'm not trying to. I've hit 139 and I've stayed there. Granted, it hasn't been a LONG plateau or anything, but if I'm eating only enough calories to try and lose more but I'm not losing, I'm wondering if I'll have to eat this calorie amount (between 1200-1300 calories a day) forever just to stay at the weight I am now. I was kinda hoping to be able to up my calories to maintain when I hit goal, but heck, I'm maintaining NOW.

:?:

HI Girls,

Mind if I join your little group?

I have just recently found my motivation to lose the weight that I've let creep up on me the past 4 years. I've always had to watch my calories and move if I want to stay thin. 5 years ago I even got down to a size 2 (I was about 115 lbs) and was exercising every day. I know that a size 2 is too small for me, but I'd be thrilled to get back into my 5's and keep my weight around 125 or so.

About 5 weeks ago I accepted a 3 week trial at Ladies Workout Express which is similar to Curves. This kind of jump started my motivation. I've since joined and been going 3 times a week and making sure to include at least 30 minutes or more of cardio in addition to the circuit (which really isn't hard enough in my opinion, but if I add in the hand weights it seems OK).

I've also started following the weight watchers program again and am in my third week (I'm a lifer but haven't been to a meeting in a while). This morning when I got on the scale I was down to 135 from my starting point of 140. YIPPEEEE!

I've set my short term goal at 129 which I want to attain by April 29th when I leave for 12 days in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. I will be spending most of my vacation snorkeling and hiking which means lots of bathing suits and shorts and I WILL FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT!!! The long term is to get back down to 125 and tone up to the point where I don't jiggle anymore (lol).

Anyway....just wanted to say hello. I've enjoyed reading your posts...you're all doing GREAT!!!


http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/tulip-...0/129/135/.png

Hi and welcome! 6 lbs to go! How tantalizing?

I guess I should be in here also, since I am down to the last 10lbs!

Yup, you should. Welcome!

Hello all! New-thread-bies too! ;)

Ah complacency. :yes: Maybe I have a bit of that too. On my "free days" :rolleyes: I used to think I'd been good all week, so whatever I liked was mine! And it usually was! Ick! I gave free days up for lent and I've only managed one so far, which was just a bit of a slip-up really since I was tired and stressed and travelling :blah: I haven't read Mrs Jim's post yet (it's open waiting for me to reconnect :tape: dial-up!) but I will do. She usually gives great insight!

Now I'm going to contradict you all here, so feel free to get the :rollpin: out on me! :lol: I'm finding that a little complacency in the week goes a long way to staving off a "free day". On Monday I ate a cookie AND a chocolate bar :o, on Wednesday I had half a pepperoni pizza and today... I haven't binged. :D :D :D I even resisted a caramel slice (there is always tomorrow to eat that!) that I bought because I was tired! So I think that perhaps an all or nothing approach, for me, is not working. Especially when I'm quite active and some things are getting slightly stressy :tantrum: (weddings). But on the whole it's all good.

I still haven't been on the scales yet. I'm still determined to leave them in the cupboard. Even though those inches showed up in the dresses last weekend, they haven't shown up on the tape measure :crazy: WHO CARES? I know it's going to take a while now, and I know I'm in for the long haul, so whether I'm going to be a size 10 for my wedding or a size 10 in 5 years time... I will get there, because now there is no going back. There is no urgency because now I am healthy and I am active and training as hard as I can. I'm never going back up, so the only way is down!

Oh and my arms are looking bigger :dz: in a good way ;)

Saying that, I'm off to lift some weights, you gals have motivated me! :grouphug:

I'd never beat you Jenfrus, you often make my day.
I've scrambled backward through my old notebook. Been to visit Krista and exrx ... and I've done an awesome back and biceps workout. I did cardio too and my food is good so far.
Is it premature to feel I may have 'kicked it up a notch'?

Since we've talked about lulls and complacency ... what's everyone else up to?

Have you all read this?
http://www.davedraper.com/forum/show...at/0/Number/82

Thanks Susan. That was a great article

I know that sometimes bodybuilding stuff can seem extreme but I do believe that we can implement some of it. I'm actually having a time of reassessment this morning. I'm fiddling with fitday to see what I can eat that adds up to awesome percentages and so on.

Had a rotten weekend. I HATE being sick!! Feeling slightly better today.

Gaylyn

Oh Gaylyn, I'm sorry you're not feeling well.

:hug: Poor Gaylyn!

Hello body builder Susan :strong: :wave:

I waved at DF while I was riding the bike today - with my accelerator hand... :doh:

I'm now eating more carbs than your average body builder - trying to keep some energy in those muscles so they're ready for sparring action and explosive power! HOOOHAH!

Doing ok, I averaged lower calories last week eating pizza, chocolate, biscuits, crisps etc occasionally over the week than I did when I take a free day a week. WOOO! I like this! I can eat doughnuts!

Got proper kickboxing tonight. I think we may be starting to practise grading things. :eek: Which is a pain, because I'm ready for a belt test right now! :tantrum:

Morning JenFrus, the bride to be. It's all about keeping those averages ticky-poo!
I really think I'm on to something since I've decided to buckle down. I like my weights and I'm not sure why I desert them occassionally.

I'm keeping up the weights! :D I like them too! They truly rock!

I'm in a pondering sort of mood today. Here's some questions for you all ...

What did you think maintenance would be like?
What do you think maintenance will be like?
Do you read in the Mainainters Forum?
Have you read 'Thin for Life' by Ann Fletcher?

Helloooooo! Where are you? We were on page two!

What do you think maintenance will be like? Just like dieting with a few extra calories.
Do you read in the Mainainters Forum? All the time.
Have you read 'Thin for Life' by Ann Fletcher? No. I've heard good things about it though.

Thanks for the well wishes. I'm a little better today. But both of my poor kiddies are sick now.

Gaylyn

I always felt so helpless when my kids were sick. I could never be a pediatric nurse.

I know I haven't been posting much--haven't felt very "almost there! but I have been reading. As far as Susan's questions...

What did you think maintenance would be like? A piece of cake! (Or bowl of ice cream, as the case may be...) Boy was I wrong!
What do you think maintenance will be like? When I do it properly it will be an 80/20 sort of thing where I can loosen control a little bit but still keep my healthy habits.
Do you read in the Mainainters Forum? Yep, some really good stuff there.
Have you read 'Thin for Life' by Ann Fletcher? No but I just got the book in the mail. I also ordered Eating Thin for Life...heard anything about that one?

Liz ..... Eating Thin for Life...heard anything about that one? No, I haven't. Is it by Fletcher too?

I hear you ... some days 'almost there' seems pretty far away. Is that you in your avatar?

Wow, I have a lot of catching up to do. I think I've figured out why I would be a terrible candidate for cosmetic surgery. A couple of weeks ago we got new furniture, that lead to my refinishing an antique rocking chair that didn't match the new stuff. The "new" rocking chair lead me to work on the wood floors, the wood floors lead me to yanking up the carpet in our master bedroom, which lead me to paint the concrete, which then made it necessary to paint the bedroom walls. Now I am stenciling, refinishing doors and priming the master bathroom. There is just no good place to stop! I'd better rethink the tummy tuck I've always wanted - or at least start saving now for a full body lift!

In the meantime, my eating has been horrible and exercise nonexistent (but I am sore so SOMETHING is getting a workout). Breakfast goes well and I even have lunch and dinner planned out. But then I get into all the painting and don't want to stop so I'll just grab a box of chocolate covered almonds for lunch (or something equally awful), and it is downhill from there. And, worst of all, I'm starting to feel jiggly from not doing weights as often as I need to. I am actually afraid to get on the scale. In fact, I just might not do it. I am nervous that it would serve to be more discouraging than motivating.

So, after three days of crappy eating and no exercise, I've gone and gotten a freezer full of lean cuisines and made a big batch of salad. It isn't ideal but it is better than having to grab cookies and candy - and I won't have any excuse not to take 5 minutes to eat lunch and dinner. Plus, I've set an alarm so that I STOP working in time to get myself to the gym. I tend to start a project and can't quit until it is finished. I just have to remind myself that the bathroom isn't going anywhere and an hour at the gym isn't going to make a big difference in my overall timeline.

Okay, I'm off to catch up on the thread. I'm guessing somewhere in there is a post that will kick me into gear!

Wow Lucky...you have been a busy little beaver!

Wanna come to my house? I've got a list of home improvements a mile long!

Little more pondering here. Bear with me..........
Something occured to me as I was folding my jean load today. When did a size 9 become big?
There was a time (not too long ago) when I remember holding up a size 10 at a store and thinking how tiny they looked. Now that I'm wearing a 9/10 they seem huge. Are my eyes shrinking along with the rest of me lol or I guess it's just my perception is changing.

I also find that food portions that at one time would have made me think that'll never be enough now seem huge. We don't eat out a lot but we went to Boston Pizza the other night and the pasta dishes seemed monsterous. I guess that's a good thing though.

Just my thoughts for the day. My kids are both better today. They rebound so quickly!

Some of my favourite jeans come from "Marks Work Warehouse" and they come in inch sizes. I remember being very excited to buy 30's now my 'big' jeans are 28's.
I dunno perspective I guess.

I know my percpective has changed. But, part of the difference for me now is that my standards are so much higher. People that I used to think of as really thin, people that I used to envy I now can see a a little chunky. And I don't mean that in a critical way at all. They all still look great as far as I'm concerned. It is just that I aspire to be even better (as in physically fit) than they are, whereas I used to only WISH I could become that small. I'm the same way with my clothes. I don't know that they look any bigger than a year ago (when they seemed small in comparison to me) but they are much bigger than I WANT them to be. Guess I'd better get on the stick and do something about it!

Susan,
Yes "Eating Thin for Life: Food Secrets and Recipes from People Who Have Lost Weight and Kept It Off" also by Fletcher...1992 publishing date. I use a great website for swapping paperbacks so I am waiting with anticipation for that copy. I'll let you know how it is. And maybe I'll get around to the original book as well.

And yes my avator is me running the Brownwood 5-k last October. Gotta have some motivation to beat my time!

Today was going pretty well until I decided to make chocolate chip cookies for "TV night". Good news is that the brown sugar and chocolate chips are all gone now so no more temptation for me with half-empty packages. And I will be leaving all the leftovers with friends so none for me. Have a great night everyone!

Daisimae, I have been a busy beaver! I'm almost done though. Well, with this project anyway. There is always something I can be working on. I am forever redecorating and love a good DIY project. My twins will start kindergaten next year so all three of my kids will be in school. I should probably be a little sad but I'm actually looking forward to having time to do these things without being interrupted!

Liz, I know what you mean. If anything good came of my terrible eating habits of the last week it is that the junk is gone - and I'm not buying any more!

Well, I decided to face the music and stepped on the scale this morning. 142.8. Nothing to sneeze at but certainly nothing to freak out over either. I admit I've been floundering lately and so have decided to take choice out of the equation. For now I need to get back to strict behaviors. I'm pouring over my old exercise journals and fitday logs and am doing the exact same things I was doing a few months ago when I hit 134. I don't need to decide what I'll be doing or eating from day to day - so I'm using my old records as my guide and menu. I know it will only take 5 or so pounds before I feel back in control. That is what I am really looking for anyway - control. Pounds lost as a result are just gravy.

The base coat of paint is dry and I can stencil the floor in my bedroom now so it is back to work for me. Have a great day all!

I'm here! :wave:

I had a 5 hour car journey up to Staffs yesterday to see my prima ballerina for work. Bless her! I'll post pics when I've shrunk them to size and things.

Had a bit of a whoopsie day with the food yesterday - I was well stressed out and travelling, which does not make for a healthy frus!

I'm on mega low calories today because I'm still digesting my fish and chips from yesterday! :lol: Kickboxing tonight wooooohoooo! I'm well rested since I had the morning off because we didn't get back till 9pm yesterday. :D

Anyone have any good wedding music suggestions? I'm currently listening to Beethoven's Romance no1 in G major. I think it's nice but not quite what I'm after!

Anywho, I must ring a "client" - I'm going to do some freelance website stuff possibly over the weekend. Woooo! More money! :D

This is what was stressing me out on Wednesday! (attached pic)

Today - my oldest friend has told me that he can't make the wedding. Thanks. Oh yeah and my bike cover got nicked for the second time. I'm beyond annoyed!

On the plus side, I have a Red Belt test tomorrow. :D

Want to go home and wallow in the bath!

Good luck on your test 2 frus~I am sure you will do fine. And then maybe your stress level with decrease as well?

Went and saw V for Vendetta last night at the theater...pretty decent flick if any of you get a chance to check it out.

Since I thought up the 'four components of what Susan must do' I guess I'd better use it ;)
So here's my four .....
A) eat less
B) eat cleaner
C) cardio ... done around 2 pm
D) weight lifting ... done around 3 pm
.... and I'd better plan to do all four today. Since I did dick all but sit and eat yesterday!

I'll let you know how it goes.

2frus~~How'd the red belt test go? And hopefully you had a better day!

lizz~~We don't get out to movies much unless it's Disney or Pixar. I'll have to wait until it comes out on video. I've seen previews for it and it looked pretty good.

Susan~~Good luck with your plan for today.

I bought my very first pair of size 8 pants yesterday!! :D I feel so thin in them. Now watch, in a few months I'll be complaining because I'm a size 8 :dizzy: Also my size 10 Calvin Kleins are getting too big! I guess they should be considering I can fit into a size 8 DUH. My dh even noticed.

Gaylyn

I passed my red belt test! :dancer:

I celebrated with a pub meal and a chocolate beer! Then yesterday my inner compulsive eater hit. I dunno why or how or from where or whatever, but I ate TONS! I'm talking muffins, cakes, cheese, ice cream, cereal :dunno: Oh well, back to the drawing board!

I bought red shoes to celebrate my red belt!

Right, I'm thinking about weighing myself... And properly getting back on track to sort myself out in time for the wedding of the year! I think I'll put off weighing till I've been good all week and the sodium bloat from yesterday has gone.

Also thinking about running today, that's as well as teaching the tiddlers to kickbox. :D

Ah Jenfrus! A nice perky post to start my day! Good Morning!
Yesterday summed up pretty nicely ....

A) eat less ... 1481 cals
B) eat cleaner ... canned peaches??? only one diet coke!
C) cardio ... done around 2 pm
D) weight lifting ... done around 3 pm
I'm off to work but I'm doing the desk so I should still feel like cardio and legs when I get home.

Wow, 2Frus those are some funky shoes! Enjoy them along with your red belt.

I am back after spending the past week being a total PIG! I'm probably right back where I started a few weeks ago...I've gained back at least 4 of the 5 lbs I lost, but I have been exercising so I am hoping that at least a lb or two are muscle (wishful thinking?). I do notice that my middle is a bit leaner so I guess I can't complain too much. I bought a bathing suit on Saturday for my vacation and didn't leave the store crying so I guess that is a good sign (lol).

Anyway...I need to get back to the business at hand which is sticking to WW core plan but eating less. I am a volume eater so I find that even though I am eating foods that are on the plan I am eating a bit more than I should. Goal for the week is to get my portions in control....also NO drinking. I've been having wine with almost every dinner this week and that is nothing but empty calories so that must go too.

I hope that by putting the above goals down in writing I will be more inclined to follow them. If anyone cares to give me a kick in the pants I can certainly use it!

I'm good at kicking.... ;)

I kicked my own arse out the door and down the street to run for 44 minutes! YAY! It's the longest I've run. I think last time I ran 36 or so minutes was the longest, so that's good. However the speed is down, but that will change soon.

I'm off to get my pork stir fry now. :T See youse lighter :D

Wow, seems like we are all on the same page! Thank goodness I'm getting back to feeling in control again. I even went to the gym at 5 this morning and did 45 minutes of cardio and almost as much on weights. It felt great but, boy, could I tell I hadn't been in a while. I bounced in there thinking I'd just pick up where I left off. Ha, the joke was on me. It was a real eye opener and motivating to say the least.

So, I've been pouring over all of my fitday records from the past year. It has been interesting to see how my portions have increased over the past few months. I increased my calories when I took my first maintainence break but my exercise routine was going strong and my weight was steady. Then I start noticing that MOST days are okay but there's an extra high calorie day in each week and my exercise is declining from 6-7 days a week, to 3-4, to 2 to rarely. The wierd thing is that my weight is going up ever so slightly week to week. Hmmm, you don't think my diet and exercise (or lack of) could have anything thing to do with these 8 pounds do you?

Well, I guess that is what happens when you don't pay attention. Acutally, I've paid attention I just ignored the consequences. Shame on me. So, I'm with you 2frus, back to the drawing board.

SusanB, I have to do the exact same 4 things as you. I'm going to focus on clean eating. I've got the other three down. Eating cleaner is the one area where I have the most room for improvement and requires more planning on my part.

Liz, we went and saw V for Vendetta this weekend. My husband really liked it. I thought it was just okay. It wasn't that I didn't like it, it just wasn't what I thought it was going to be so I was caught a little off guard by my expectations. DH was familiar with the comic book so he knew the premise beforehand.

Gaylyn, congratulations on those size 8's! That was the first size that was a big enough deal to me to chunk everything else in my closet and start my wardrobe from scratch. For at least a solid month I'd find myself wandering into the closet just to look at them! For a while there mine were actually getting too big and then I got a little cocky and now, with these extra 8 pounds, they are back to fitting just right. And, like you said, I don't feel thin in them anymore. Perhaps gaining these extra pounds is a blessing in disguise. Now that I have something "thinner" to compare to my 8's they don't seem so slim anymore. No more complacency for me!

Daisimae, it sounds like you have a plan. But, I understand needing a kick in the pants every now and then. Maybe 2frus will use some of those kickboxing moves on us when we need them!

I'm kicking my own pants at the moment!

I've just been down to the kitchen to get a drink and I realised that I feel flabby! I think my trousers are a bit snug... Best get the scales back out and check out the damage! I'm onto damage limitation today after the weekend. I'm going to try and cut my calories a little bit lower and really try to sleep more than I have been doing. I've taken Thursday off work to rest and recouperate, so that should be a nice lazy day!

I'm aching from my run and kickboxing yesterday and I realised that I've missed running. :dizzy: Got more kickboxing tonight - I'll be practising for my next belt. :D

Ah jenfrus ... the old balancing game! I have to be very careful that I do 'all' the things I need to do. A little of this, a little of that .... I'm learning that attractive slimness is an intricate recipe.
So Lucky? What are your a, b, c, d's for today?