I am jumping in into new year with extra pounds this time. I guess I just made something wrong. i exercised a lot, but completely did not watch what I ate, and here is a result. So today I am scheduled to the gym... Well, loosing weight is easier than maintain, what can I say...

This Saturday my DH and I fly to Mexico for a week without kids. It is NOT all inclusive but including kitchen, and the hotel has gym. And swimming pool. And beach. What can I wish for, when it is cold here? Hope that my weight will start dropping...

Happy New Year everybody!

I just got home from grocery shopping where I bought wonderful food, a new note book and a mirror to look at the back of me.

Here's to fresh beginnings and renewed determination! I don't like them holiday 5 pounds, they're flabby.

Hi folks. A gloomy gray Tuesday here, but surprisingly warm (high 40s). They say rain's comin ...

At long last, my massage/physical therapist is back after missing nearly 2 months of work due to a torn arm muscle. This gal (Lori) is fabulous, and she and I just clicked on our first meeting. I had finally decided to give massage a try to ease some of those aches and pains, and my doc recommended her. I hadn't thought of finding a physical therapist who does massage, but what a great combination.

I started seeing her because for my neck/shoulders/arms/upper back (I have lots of repetitive stress injuries -- computeritis) but in the last year, I've had a lot of trouble with my hips/lower back. Well, last night she started at my neck and worked down to my ankles. And then she showed me a bunch of stretches to keep my waist/hips/back more limber. So, I asked her about leg/lower body workouts. She suggests that I continue my faves -- squats, leg presses, curls -- and showed me a modified leg extension, using light weights, to strenthen my knees.

Then I told her that I found lunges almost impossible, and she showed me a modified version of those, too. I don't know if I can describe it, but basically, you put one foot on a small stool or step and drop the other knee several inches (rather than going down to the floor, as you would in a "traditional" lunge.) Then you push back up. She also recommended that I strengthen my quads and glutes by doing a series of one-legged steps, using the same stool. So, from a starting position, I step up, balance for a sec, and step back down. I can hardly wait to add these new moves to my routine (gym reopens Monday). I tried them and I could do them all without pain! I feel like I have a whole new lease on life. And yoga resumes next week, so things are looking up, up, up. I'm thinking that at last, with her, I can build a workout routine that will work over the long haul. And boy, do those massages feel fabulous!

Jan, I notice the same thing at restaurants now ... how different my plates look, and how much I take home. In fact, Bill and I BOTH walk out of most restaurants with doggie bags.

Sandy, sounds like a super trip. I hope you have a wonderful time ... where in Mexico?

Mel, did you get a wave of new customers with the new year? The university gym has a pretty steady clientele; I don't expect to see many new faces next week.

Ilene, like you, I'm happy to be back in some sort of a groove. Endless vacation begins to feel like a free fall doesn't it

Well, it's almost quittin' time. See you tomorrow chickies!

Robin, thanks so much for describing those exercises. I have very bad knees and cannot do squats or lunges even without any weight (esp squats). I will try the modified lunges at home where I just happen to have an aerobics step from those days when I thought I would exercise at home - Ha!

Pat, I wish I could describe them more completely. One thing: she used a step higher than an arobics step (unless your's is adjustable, or you have blocks to raise it). I have a Rubbermaid stool that's 9 1/2 inches high
(see: http://www.epinions.com/content_92937031300). I thought I'd try that. Also, she said to keep the abs tight throughout, and to go slowly, so that you're using muscle -- not momentum -- to step up.

For the step up (not the modified lunge), do it like this: Step up with, say, your right foot, and do NOT bring your left foot up to the stool to help out or to keep your balance. (You keep your left foot kind of stuck out behind you). The intent, she said, is to make the right leg do the work. After holding the pose on the right foot for several seconds, come back down onto your left foot, and then bring your right foot back to the floor. Then repeat. I just did this several times to make sure I was describing it right; I could feel it.

For the modified lunge, the best way to describe it is like this (I think):

From a standing position, bring your right leg forward onto the stool, and bend the right knee slightly. Push back with the right leg (keep abs tight) and then return the right leg to the floor. I found this easier than the step up, making me think I'm not doing it right Lunges are always really hard for me.

Hope this helps.

Argh! I'm swamped by resolutioners! New faces all over the gym, returning faces, some that I haven't seen since last June or so Plus, I have 2 clients just returning after surgeries and long rehabs (I didn't have anything to do with their injuries, I swear!) and another returning who tried to go it on her own for 3 months and decided she needed me for leg day. The training business is feast or famine

I'm doing well, biggest problem is finding the time to eat and run to the bathroom. My New Years pound and a half is still stuck to me, tho Hard to believe that ONE meal could do that. I really thought it would disappear in a day or two. LOL- I guess it's only been 3 days, just seems like a week. Good reason to NOT jump on the scale every morning. And it wasn't even a blowout meal

Robin and Pat- I'm going to be putting together a short article on "Functional Fitness" hopefully in the next week or two with some good exercises that might help both of you. I'll post it in LWL most likely. The "step-up and hold" is excellent for balance and strength. Once it gets easy, try it holding light dumbbells.

Sashenka- A warm vacation sounds lovely. Actually, for January, it's pretty warm here now, but I sure wouldn't mind seeing some sun and blue sky Have fun!

Jan- I notice that at restaraunts too. Unless it's a really good restaraunt, I find my initial reaction to most menus is "ick- there's nothing here I even want to eat!" Ordering consists of a lot of "hold the x, I'll have the y on the side...can you substitute steamed vegies?" I just don't want everything smothered in salty, fatty sauces or a bucket of cheese.

Early morning tomorrow, off to bed for me

Mel

Hi all!

Barb, I mix 1/2 T of organic PB into my oatmeal and it's fabulous. I'm curious, have you counted your calories recently? That info may shed some light on why you continue to lose weight. I think the weightlifting and adding protein and good fat to your diet are excellent ideas.

Well, I have two good days under my belt - I'd forgotten how good that feels!!

Thanks, Robin, I had a blast at my step class. It is a lot of fun - I love the music and rhythm, too. Ilene, I really did have to watch my feet because they were dragging by the end. It was tough getting through that hour, but I made it!

Today was weight lifting. For several months, we've been doing allover workouts and today we made our big change. Today was biceps, triceps, quads and hams. The next workout will be chest, back, shoulders, calves and abs. We'll lift 3x per week alternating the two workouts. I really liked concentrating more effort/intensity on each body part.

Last night was my first WW meeting. I weighed in at 156 lbs - 16 lbs above the top of my maintenance range!!! It's only been since mid-October that I've packed on these pounds. It's amazing how quickly they come back when you're not careful. Lost three of them today so I'm starting to gather some momentum. 13 more to go!

Hi all,

I had to have very minor surgury yesterday to remove a small part of my cervix (it was a vey quick decision, I thought I was going in for another pap) so I cannot exercise for the next 3 weeks and the procedure in general has really bummed me out. I was so hyped to start my weight training again and that's on hold too... I can't even use a stationary bike... but when it comes down to it my choice was this, miss three weeks of exercise or highly risk getting cervical cancer.

Anyway, I am still reading Thin for Life and hope to join in our discussion.. Sorry to be down... I'll try and be more positive. My new job seems to be really exciting.

Take care!

Ali

Congrats! Also thanks for posting. I've been struggling pretty hard this week, and it helps to be reminded what success looks like. One and two days at a time.

Ali, that sounds like you made one of the best health decisions you'll ever make and those three weeks of recovery will be well spent. Be good to yourself!

Anne

Anne and KarynLee -- I'm struggling too with food, I'm not sure why I keep going back to the wrong foods... Bad habits are easily formed but verrrry difficult to break, for me anyways...

Ali -- Get well soon.... 3weeks will fly by.... Keep reading Thin for Life... I've restarted it myself....

Today WILL be better than yesterday ...

Off to work...TTFN ... :wave...

Hi all:

I had to agree with others who are struggling to get back in gear, with food choices.
I find that the after shocks of the season are sometime worse than the actually event. I am managing with some extra healthy food choices & some
best friend for life treatment. Thats when I treat myself like I would treat a friend, and I am my best friend for life.

Ali: Feel better and please don't stress over things not in your control you will be at your regular routine in no time.

Take care,

Good Morning - it's a dreary day in NH today. Snow is in the forecast for tonight. I'm a teacher, so I'm secretly hoping for no school tomorrow. I took the day off today.

I'm really frustrated with myself. Trying to keep my head above water, so to speak, but having trouble. I was doing soooo well until Thanksgiving. Then I spun out of control food-wise, recovered, then spun out of control again at Christmas. I had a great week after Christmas and then ---- whammo ---- the scale didn't register where I wanted it to be and instead of accepting that and continuing on my healthy path, I lost control again! I feel so childish, I lost 2 of the 5 pounds I was up, but was hoping for more. I thought it was "all water" and I should be able to drop those pounds no problem. Now I'm back up those 2 pounds, plus more I'm sure.

In addition, my job is very stressful lately. I'm reacting by running to the refrigerator every afternoon when I return home from work. So, I obviously empathize with those of you who have had a bumpy start to the new year!

So what to do?? I have yet AGAIN started fresh, trying to not look back and just re-focus on my goals. When I originally lost weight 2 years ago, I went on the South Beach Diet, which was good in only one way - I cut out all sugar for 14 days. I'm not advocating the SBD because I think people get carried away with the low carb aspect of the diet and then do not stick with it. But I know that those two weeks without any breads or carbs really helped me get control of my addiction to using sweets for comfort/escape. I'm on day 2. Every day is difficult on this diet, but again, I'm hoping this will be a swift kick in the buns for me and will ultimately get me back on the no-sugar band wagon. Without sugar-foods, I'm golden. So, we'll see how this works.


Karynlee - congratulations on your clean eating & weight loss.

Anne - one day at a time is definitely a great approach to getting back on track. I'm taking it day by day right now. In fact, hour by hour. Whatever works.

Gina - the aftershocks are worse!!

Hello to all maintainers. Have a great Wednesday!

Lessismore

Hi,

I just have to share my "small" success! As I said, my holiday season was really really non-smart foodwise and I gained 4-6 pounds during December. Even though i kept my exercise the same (just imagine how did I pig out ) - so going back to routines was a releif.
On Dec31st I was 136 pounds, and today i was under 132 in the morning (I usually gain 2 pounds during the day and I post my evening weight, but for the joy of having less weight I usually weight myself in in the morning and in the evening). Anyways, every day gym and running and watching my calories sure pays off! i am so happy!

So on Saturday I go to Mexico with DH, to Puerto Vallarta. I've never been to Mexico, so it does not matter for me where I go. What matters is that I am going to use my new bikini for the first time in 10 years! Loosing those couple of pounds actually is really pleasant, as I will be less nervous about how I look in bikini (does it matter?)

It is freezing cold here in Vancouver, Canada. Like we usually have above freezing, as it is now below. Even my dog does not want to stay outside for more than 15 minutes, and after that destroys hats, shoes, sweaters at home out of boredom! So I am really looking forward to the trip! I have my little plan to eat all the fruits and veggies I can, as well as exercise every day. I am also lucky that one of my gym buddies is getting married in March and she now never misses our gym sessions - we usually go once a week from work and since there are two of us - we tend to stick to the trip to the gym!

Hope your week is as successful as mine!

Sandy -- so called small successes are often the most motivating ones... I seem to be in the same boat as you in that I exercised a LOT during the Holiday season and still gained 4#... ... I am feeling better today and am going for a short run in a few minutes because it's the only time I have the time today... I'll probably do 5k...

Up. Down. Up. Down.

Isn't this the life of maintenance?

When I say that I've maintained my weight for the better part of 8 years, I don't mean that I've held steady at 142 pounds for all of that time. There are those heady days when the scale reads 138, and then there are those days when it says 144. That's a 6-pound swing. Do I prefer 138? What do you think. But can I live with 144? Yep, because like it or not, my body goes up and down. Up and down. I noticed in Thin for Life that a majority of the Masters had learned to live with similar swings.

Here's a little tip: what goes up will always come down as long as we get back in the groove. And that's what I hear everybody doing. Reg2424, I love your notion of treating yourself as your best friend. You deserve it! And Lessismore, keep that mental picture of living on your healthy path front and center because that's a golden rule. Ali, you made an extremely wise decision; and you're allowed to be "down." No apologies necessary. You'll be back up on your feet in no time. As my yoga teacher (constantly) reminds us: honor the body. Honor the body. Honor the body.

Congrats on the bikini Sandy. You'll wow 'em in Mexico, and Ilene, you'll knock off those pounds soon enough. Anne and Karyn, don't forget what veterans you are at this. Don't be cowed by a couple of extra pounds. Anne, you put your finger right on it: one day at a time. Maybe even one meal at a time. And remember, up and down. Up and down.

Mel, don't forget to get enough rest. And Meg, if you're putting in long hours at the computer building our new web page, don't forget to stretch and rest!

And all of you: breathe.

I should have been somebody's mother. Lecture over. I love you chickies. You're all going to fine indeed.