Jo, Wow, very impressive work on the TM yesterday. Good for you, keep it up.

T, Thanks for all the info. Glad you have your bike up and running. I wish I had your dedication.

Well I am contemplating going to the gym so I will check back w/ everyone later.

MJ

YOWZA gingergen! And you too IsthatreallyJO! Weight loss is weight LOSS - no matter the #!

Hiya alwayslistening! Isthatreallyme(Jo) and I are both 46 - get in here and tell us about yourself, kay?

We are snow covered this morning and off to play in it - also beer soaked Football and Jalapeno's this afternoon - so just doing a "drive-by" here!

All this exercise talk is making me want to dust the laundry and cobwebs off my Bowflex!!! Very inspiring~Tx All!

I've been totally stressed at work and working looooooong 2nd shift hours. Slid on down the slippery slope of medicating myself with tons of junk food. LOVE this:

1. Exercise six days a week, for the rest of your life. Whether you want to or not, whether you feel like it or not.
2. Do serious aerobic exercise four days a week (45 min), for the rest of your life.
3. Do serious strength training, with weights, two days a week for the rest of your life.
4. Spend less than you make.
5. Quit eating crap.
6. Care.
7. Connect and commit.

Adding to my siggy LIW--Tx!

HAVE stayed true to my Pilates Plan thru this latest binge - this system is PERFECT for me and my Fitness Level. Have a 30 minute dvd that is broken into three 10 minute segments.

bbl if not too inebriated! Rooting for Da Colts & Da Bears!!!

Happy Monday People!

A dusting of snow here this morning but the weather is mild. Today is a class day so the plan is to squeeze in a quick spin this morning before heading to campus.

Took the princess into the city yesterday. We entered via the Holland tunnel which drops you in near the Village. Sunday ams are usually quiet so we didn't have any trouble finding free parking on the street. We had brunch in a great little hole in the wall cafe and browsed some very chi chi upscale designer boutiques before collecting the car and heading up town. It was uncomfortably cold and windy so we didn't feel much like walking around. Parked in a garage on W. 44th just 2 doors down from the theater before we did a little time killing browsing in Times Square.

3pm show of Les Miserables was wonderful. The music is so great, the staging was very well done and the sets were impressive. We had a great time and with the exception of a little congestion heading out of the Lincoln Tunnel we had no traffic on the way home. Got home by 7:30pm - time to curl on the couch with DH and watch the Colts squeek out a win.

All in all a nice weekend.

Here's to a productive and healthy week! Good decisions one day at a time.

T.

Hi all, I usually work on Mondays but had today off due to our salon being remodeled slightly. Have to report back tomorrow (Tuesday) in the late afternoon to restock the retail shelves for our re-opening Wed. AM. So I get a little bit of a breather. Went to the gym this AM, stayed for over an hour, and feel pretty great as a result of it. Decided I needed a project today so I am now in the process of cleaning out my pantry. Partially so I can get rid of some junk I don't need and partially because it has not been done once in the three years I have lived here (I don't think). I did step on the scale this AM for weigh-in and was lucky enough to maintain my loss from last week. I was shocked, I thought for sure I would be up at least a pound or two. I was not very well behaved last week. But I have made a conscious decision to relinquish the permission I have given myself to eat crap that makes me fat and makes me feel horrible. I felt so much better eating healthfully. I'm going to do it again. Garbage in/garbage out is my new motto. The pantry won't know what hit it...

T, It is so fun to live vicariously thru your stories about going into the city. You are going to convince me to go for a visit eventually.

Aud, I was totally affected by LIW's 7 rules too. If it is that easy than why aren't we doing it? It is do-able. I'm proud of you for sticking w/ the pilates, good for you.

Hope everyone else is back soon!!!

MJ

Hey all! LIW, your adventure and show sound wonderful. I took my oldest daughter to see Phantom at the Forrest Theatre in Philly for Christmas. It was absolutely wonderul. I saw the movie and thought it was ok but the play was great. The sets and costumes -- simply amazing!!

I took yesterday off from exercise. I hate exercising on Sundays; I just need to know that one day is just down time. I did ok eating over the weekend; nothing really off program but probably a little more calories than during the week. I can't seem to find the time or remember to track my food on fitday on the weekends. I keep track of it in my head but it's nice to actually see the numbers.

I did 25 minutes on the totaly gym and 3.25 miles on the treadmill. Not quite as quick as this past Saturday's workout but that was cause I was playing with my new (well, ok refurbished) ipod!! I LOVE THIS THING! I'm going to have to take a day and actually figure out which songs work best with which speed so I can create warmup, cooldown and cardio playlists. But it's sooooo much better than the cd player that we have or even a portable cd player. I've already got about 45 songs on it and that's just from some of our cds. I highly recomend mp3 players! I just hope technology doesn't make this completely obsolete in 5 years!

Didn't get the dog out today. We are both disappointed about that. Too much time w/the music and prepping for work tomorrow. I did reach my January walking goal of 50 miles today so I revised it for another 20 by the end of the month. Hope you all are having a great day!!

Jo
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Hello ladies, wasn't sure I would get through all those posts. Glad to see everyone is doing well. Hubby had a long weekend so I wasn't around much, My eating wasn't too bad, not the greatest, I'm sure I went over calorie wise cause I made seasoned potatoe wedges and they were awesome. Sometimes I really hate being an awesome cook cause well its all good and I want to eat it all. Well I was brave and crawled on the scale this am to assess the damage well I went from 217.2 to 217 so wasn't bad at all. I don't know if I will weigh in on Friday, depends on how brave I am, TOM is coming and I always gain 3-5 pounds, and I know what it is from but seeing it is still a downer. Although I say that now I am sure I will check cause I am getting kinda obsessed with seeing the numbers go down.

Emjay-that is 10 pounds since I started, I have to get to 214 by my birthday.

Isthatreallyme-don't feel bad for taking sundays off, I never workout on sundays, unless for some reason I miss a day and feel like I have to make it up, and I am still losing. Glad you like your ipod-I am thinking about getting one, well I am getting a mp3 player this weekend but not sure what to get. I have a ton of cds and want to transfer them to the ipod-can you do that or can you only use the music you buy from itunes? If that makes any sense the way I worded it.

ladyinwhite-did the bike in class again yesterday, my butt did still hurt while riding but was fine after I was done. Kinda had fun, although I need music!! But we are getting that taken care of this weekend.

Well I must get ready for class. I am running late again. School is so much different with two kids. Its like I hardly have time for anything, It don't help I am going at the by myself with the hubby on the road and all. Oh well, I will be done a year from May. I'll be around later.
Jen

Hiya Gals!

WTG gingerj - a loss isalossisaloss, I always say . . . you're doing GREAT - and so are you jo . . . this is an exercising bunch!

My slipperysugarslope I slid down added up to a 1 pound gain for me - I think Pilatteing my way thru the mindless eating must have helped - 'cause I've sure gained waaaay more than One measly pound before with that kind of yucky eating! Makes me wonder how much I would have LOST had I not "gone there" -

I'm loving the travelogue too LIW - sitting @ the PC dreaming . . . .

I've taken the Work Stress by the horns and rodeo'd it . . . the "F" word is now my friend - feeling much better about it all - on a new slippery slope: The fine line between assertive and aggressive!!! I've decided to err on the side of aggression, ya know? No more wimpy carb loading alone time for aud! Had an awesome work out in the gym yesterday and am totally recommitting to ME and MY well being. Flock 'em all!

I love your pic emjay - are your eyes as green as they look? I wanna a pic avatar when I grow up!!!

What is "Spin??"

Jen, you can get a refurbished ipod from apple's website. We got a 2GB (holds 500 songs) for $99. It was previously purchased and returned; not necessarily "used", could have been returned for any number of reasons. Apple completely goes over the thing, inside and out, and resells it for cheap. We purchased our computer the same way and never had a problem. Nice product for a good price. You can upload your current cd's into the itunes library then download them onto your ipod and/or purchase tunes from the ipod store. We were also looking for some kind of system to play this on but didn't want a lot of bells and whistles or anything very big. We found an iSymphony at Radio Shack. It's made for ipods and mp3 players. It's small but w/a big sound, detachable speakers, preset EQs; am/fm tuner; cdplayer; 50 watts; wonderful sound. It charges your ipod/mp3 player too. Great price; great product. I've already got about 65 songs or so on the pod. Will be getting more from the store I'm sure (hey, that all rhymes!!).

Oh, and I don't feel at all guilty for not exercising on Sunday. Actually, I'm trying to keep Sundays free. I only exercise 5 days/week but had gotten busy and had to use Sunday. I like knowing I have off that day!!

Aud, good job keeping up w/the Pilates. Even if your eating is off you're still countering it w/the exercise -- and that's always a good thing!

Anyway, gonna take the doggie out for a little walk. Have a good one all!

Jo

Has anyone else kept track of their measurements? Mine are in this Thread somewhere - LOL! Thinking about taking them again each month 'cause my clothes sure are fitting differently - and its not from Mr. Scale.

I dreamed last night that I stepped on a scale and it read 158 and I was so excited to be below 160. In my dream I couldn't wait to come here and share it with you guys.

Alas... it was just a dream - as far as I know I'm still in the 170 range.

OMG, I love my MP3 player. I can't work out w/o it. The gym I go to has XM radio but only plays music from the 60's and 70's (yuck), it's just not good workout music. I've downloaded my music from Limewire, not sure if it is legal or not (anybody know?). I've got everything from Chris LeDoux to Eminem on mine. I've been tossing around the idea of an ipod, now I may check out the website for the refurbished one (Thanks Jo).

Aud, I have not taken my measurements but I really should. Have you been monitoring your inches pretty closely? Does it give the same satisfaction the scale does (when we are being good that is)? Yup, my eyes are that green. You should get your pic avatar up soon, it's fun to see what everyone looks like.

Jen, I have 6 lbs. to lose b4 our bday. I hope I can do it or come darn close. I'm headed to the gym tomorrow for a power workout. Tomorrow is my hubby's bday and we are going out to dinner and my mil ordered a cake. I love cake.

T, How tall are you? Cuz I think you look pretty good at 170. I think I look pretty good at 170 too, can't wait to get there again. I know when I'm there I will want to lose more too though.

WHERE IS ZANDRIA???

Later all, MJ

Hi guys - just a quick post today. My puppy (not really a puppy) was rushed to the vet this morning. Looks like he's not long for this world. Came up fast but whatever it is is hitting him hard. It's so sad. DH is on his way to the vet to collect him. He's going to stay home with him today. Tonight we have to tell the kids and it looks like tomorrow I'll be taking him into the vet for the last time.

So sad.

I hope everyone else is having a better day.

Em - I'm 5'5, weighing about 170 right now +- a lb or two. I'm a pretty straight forward size 10 but definately a pear shape.
T

So sad to let you know that our Maxie didn't even make it home. He took a critical turn for the worse while the Dr. was going over our options.

Everyone feeling blue today.

I'm back. I've been to busy to log on lately. I have an internship, two jobs, and I do other stuff like workout in the morning. One of my jobs will be ending after January is over, so I should have more time to do things..

So I have been working out normally for two months now. I had another Dr. appt yesterday, and it does not look like I have lost any weight! Actually, the scale says that I weigh 203. A week or two ago, I weighed 197 on a different scale. Even if they are different scales, it still doesn't seem like I have lost any weight! It seems crazy with all the working out that I've been doing! I thought that I would especially lose weight quickly because the more weight one has to lose the quicker it comes off (because some of it is water weight)??!! After I got on the scale yesterday, I decided that I am absolutely cutting out all junk food and any late night dining..unless I am just eating fruit or vegetables.

By the way, I just got my "YOU on a Diet" yesterday. The book does reaffirme a lot of things I believe, like fad diets are a waste of time and don't work. I have only read the first chapter, but my only complaint about the book so far is that the author uses too many similies in the book...about every few sentences..one of my favorite was ...about something "advancing like a 17 year old boy in a movie theater". Although I suppose the authors wrote stupid stuff like that because they wanted to keep their audiences attention...not sure.

Well I am working right now. After I get home, I have to clean, still work on a college essay, and pack for Cincy..I am leaving tommorrow night! Hope you all have a great weekend!

LIW - I am so, so very sorry about your Maxie. I know how hard it is to lose a pet. What kind of dog was she and how old? I know there's nothing anyone can really say to make it better but just know that I'm thinking about you and your family!

Aud -- I haven't taken my measurements in quite a while but I think they might be: too big, too wide, no good. Are you still on the slipperysugarslope? I have found over the past few weeks that the more I stay away from it the less I want it. I've also been doing well not eating at night. The beginning was tough but now I don't really think much about it. If I'm actually hungry, I'll eat something but keep it in control. Just trying not to eat the whole damn thing anymore!!

Well the scale didn't move this week but I've no doubt it's due to TOM. What a pain in the butt!! Four days straight of cramps is just about enough if you ask me!!! I'm still the same weight which is amazing to me cause I always go up a few lbs. due to TOM so I'm anticipating that it will go down over the next few days. Still running my tush off on the TM. Tunes definitely help keep me motivated and on beat. I set up playlists for warmups, walking, running, and cooldowns. It's great when I'm running and the songs change but are all keeping basically the same beat. Anynone know if there is a site to find out the beats per minute (BPM) of songs?

The temp here has turned arctic! It's about 2 w/a wind chill below zero. But tomorrow they say it's going to be in the 40's. How ridiculous is that?
Hope everyone has a good weekend. Talk to ya later.

Jo