What was I thinking??? It seems that whenever I make that comittment, I go out and do something like I did today (had a parfait from TCBY--it did have raspberries in it and was lowfat yogurt, does that count?)! I am glad that I am being loving to myself or I would be beating myself up about this! (Heavy Sigh!)

So now that you know where I failed, I will tell you where I succeeded today! Stayed OP the whole rest of the day other than that (minor) slip! I have drank all of my 80 oz. of water that I wanted to drink starting today.
Supper was a Mexican Tortilla (chicken) which DH made. It was good. I am sure I had too much of it, but everything in it was OP (no sugar or flour!) YEA!

Workout: Did 2.5 miles on the WATP tape. Phew! Those double knee lifts (or anything double) are killing me. I tend to be a little left footed when it comes to keeping the rhythm during aerobics. I wanted to do the bike today but DH beat me to it at the same time I wanted to work out. DD fell asleep watching a movie on our bed while we worked out in the basement! ZZZZZZ! Anyway...I also did my weight/toning routine. My back is a little achy which means one of two things. I worked it a little too hard with Leslie or TOM is about to make an appearance!!! Geesh! I hope it was Leslie!

So...I forgot to tell all of you (I posted it in my journal entry last night, but forgot in my longwindedness to tell my friends here!) I bought a new skirt, top, some new panties and bras yesterday! They are all a size smaller! Yipee! I tried on two skirst (I have been wanting a long Khacki one for a while, but happened upon two at Walmart yesterday)...one size 16, the other size 16W. It's amazing the difference in size. The 16 was waaaay tight, but the 16W fits great! OK, it's a little snug, but with a pullover top right now it will be fine! I tend to like my clothes to fit loosely, so tight for me is just barely tight! Anyway! I wore my new bra and panties today. I bought one bra just for workouts (It's all cotton to absorb all that sweat!) and another one for everyday wear. I felt kind of "new" today!

Blah, blah, blah! Do you ever get tired of these long posts. I probably would skip over them if I weren't writing them!!! LOL!

It thunderstormed here tonight! Can you beleive it??? It's March 1st and it was thundering, lightening like it was mid summer and pouring down rain! So cool! If the snow wasn't gone with the rain we got this morning, it should be gone soon! Of course, it's only going to be 35 max tomorrow...and more snow forecasted for later this week! Oh well! That's Michigan for ya!!

Everyone is kicking butt even those of you with sore limbs and bottoms! You chicks rock! REally...you are my motivation every day! Thank you for that!

I will post my soup "recipe" on a seperate post! BTW, Christin (JillmommyC)says "HI" to everyone. She is doing well, but her Mom is visiting from out of town and will be there for a while longer. She plans to join us again as soon as she can!

Have a super Tuesday!

Angie wanted this. I make it different every time, but here's the basic recipe.

Boil water (a large pot, whatever you usually use for soup--I use about 4-6 quarts of water).
Add chicken bullion cubes, granules, whatever you have. You can use broth for the stock if you want.
Cut up a whole head (small to med depending on how much soup you want) of cabbage into whatever size you like in your soup!
(Can you tell I never use a cook book or if I do, I always vary the recipe?)
Cut up an onion (I prefer sweet onion, but whatever you have works) into bite size pieces or smaller.
Cut up a carrot, celery, fresh green beans...whatever other veggies you want to put in it)
Sometimes at this point (but you don't have to), I sautee the veggies in Olive Oil with some garlic and then...
Throw it all into the pot until cabbage is tender.
Add 1 or two cans of stewed tomatoes (chopped tomatoes, mexican tomatoes, salsa...whatever) I like a little kick to it, so I usually use salsa or mexican tomatoes and one can of stewed tomatoes.

Let simmer for about an hour. Salt & Pepper to taste.
If you want it a bit thicker, put a couple of cups in the blender to puree then add back to the pot. Serve or put into freezer containers and freeze for later.

If anyone does WW, they have a cabbage soup recipe in their beginner's booklet which I derrived this one from!

Everybody is doing so great. I'm very proud of everyone. Thanks for the recipe Hikein, I'll have to try that and congrats on the smaller size. That makes all the work worth while.

Jennifer, you're doing awesome girl. Maybe you should break down your 100 mile goal into smaller increments so that it doesn't seem quite so daunting. 100 miles! That's fabulous. I'm sure you'll burn it up

Not much going on here. My calories were right on target yesterday. My ankle was sore from being on it all day yesterday so I just lied around with my foot elevated last night. I'm going to focus on my water intake today and try to get to the gym to work on my weight regiment tomorrow. Everybody keep up the good work!

I was chastised by my pseudo Mamma, Jennifer , for not posting. Duly noted and here I am. I've not posted much (although I've read every day) because nothing much is going on. Diet wise, I'm not doing too bad. I can stay on program and drink ungodly amounts of water, even make myself exercise almost every day, but the weight doesn't move. I get so discouraged and start feeling sorry for myself. I didn't want to post a downer of a post, so I just read instead of writing. Sometimes I wonder if something is wrong with me. The weight just doesn't move. Jennifer pointed out that I've got some loss in inches, but my clothes do not fit differently and no one (including myself) can see a difference in my size.
On a lighter note (no pun intended) :my sister is joining WW tomorrow. I can't afford it, though I do it at home. I'm so proud of her and happy for her, but on a selfish note, this will help me too. I'll have ANOTHER chick in my corner. I'm hoping a renewed interest in WW will help me address my shortcomings and failures. Something is wrong somewhere.
I'm very proud of everyone here. Especially Mamma Jennifer. She's an awesome motivational, inspirational, celebrational (wait, that's from the Muppet Show Theme Song, oops) Let me start over. She's a great role model for us Chicks. I'm amazed by her strength and willpower. Getting up and exercising before work, posting and commenting on our Posts here and hers and other's journals, and sending inspiring emails throughout her work day and then managing to exercise at night as well, mixed with balancing school work and a life with hubby and Kiefer Sutherland. I'm darn proud of you Jennifer You, my friend, truly rock!

Everyone seems to be doing so well, in one way or another! Thanks to Jennifer and Julie for noticing my loss and all . And, Julie, that recipe definitely looks yummy and useful (I always want to make soup, but never really knew how).

Anyway, I did my exercise yesterday - mainly because I told you guys that I would . Eating has been generally okay - not exactly as I plan, but still reasonable.

Today, I have my UB dumbbell and ab workout, and a walk on the treadmill. (I actually got up a little early and walked a mile on the treadmill this morning, but I still have another mile or two to go.)

I'm definitely happy that spring is starting to arrive, and I think I might actually wear shorts more often this year. (I'm still not excited about the prospect of wearing a bathing suit .)

Anyway, keep up the good work!

Java - Everybody gets to that point. =) Here, I've been working my butt off (quite literally!) for over a month now, and I'm STILL in the same size!! ARGH! Try adding one thing, however small, to your workout. Betcha it'll help. =) I'm going to start back up with my balance ball tomorrow, 3 times a week, like I SAID I would. I know it'll kick me further into shape. =) Keep goin, though!! You're doing great!

I woke up at 11 today, did my workout right away, even though I did not want to keep riding that bike... argh. But I grinned and bore it, got through it on time, and hopped in for a nice shower. I did all of my tapes for today last night, and took 'em back around 2 this morning... Hmm. Now what? I'm bored!!

Workout for today: 20 min on bike, 200 situps, 4 min stairstepper w/ free weights.
Weight: 161. I think I was at 164, before, but I can't be sure. Don't quote me on it. =) So... I MIGHT have lost 3 pounds, but I might be nuts. Who knows!!

Foods for today:

Breakfast: 1 veggie burger, no bun, with a slice of cheese. Sliced pickle, and 1/2 cup mini ravioli. (If I eatjust the veggies, I'll get sick...)

Lunch (actually dinner...): Grilled chicken breast, steamed rice, and salad.

Dinner (which will occur sometime around 2am...) Well, I'm HOPING this will end up being ff yogurt, peanut butter on crackers, and some sliced pears.

Snacks today... no idea. I'm not even really HUNGRY for snacks, but I have to eat something or my blood sugar freaks out and i get sick.

I have a chiropractor (just maint.) appt. at 4:50 today, so I'll be busy for most of today. Gonna MAKE the husband go on a walk with me tonight, if it's the lsat thing I do!!

This is just a drive-by-posting....LOL

((((( Big Hugs to all my chickies )))))))

I'll be back later- I promise- today was just too hectic for words!

I did it! A day without sugar...all day...so far! I managed to forget my lunch but was a good girl and went to the grocery store (conveniently located across the streeet from work) and bought a nice salad and some white bean chicken chili. It was in a plastic pouch and when I opened it, it started squirting out another hole in the bag! Yuck! So I didn't eat that, but loaded up on veggies (from work) and salad! Did have a piece of ham, too. There was a 1/2 boiled egg in the salad, so that was some good protein! I am going to to do this...this no sugar thing, if it kills me! OK...I probably am not THAT serious about it, but I will kick this habit! It might take me a year or two, but I plan to continue to make it my goal. I am a true addict!

So food eaten today:
B-fast: oatmeal w/ raisins, cranberries, pecans & milk & splenda
NO snack!
Lunch: Salad & veggies (w/ ham, cheese & egg)
Afternoon Snack: small handful of almonds Ikeep in my desk for 3pm snack attack! Today it worked!
Supper: Leftover veggies & some ribs from the other night...not that great! a few tortilla chips & some salsa. Hmmm! Strange meal!
Water: 32 oz. before I left the house this morning! Wooo Hooo! Probably have 64 oz. in now, but need to start really guzzling so I'm not up all night! LOL!

Exercise: Did 30 minutes on the bike this morning. I can tell it's been a few days since I have ridden. Not to mention I was tired and really didn't want to do it first thing this morning! I may have to re-nig on that goal of 15 miles in 30 minutes. I didn't even get 10 in this morning in 30 minutes. I could have pushed it a bit harder, but even then, I think that 10 miles is a feasible goal. So I will shoot for that instead of the 15 (lofty) I wanted...at least THIS week! Watch out Jennifer, cause it won't stay this goal forever, you know!

You know what I really like about Jennifer? She is goal oriented and I am not, so this really forces me to push myself a little harder every week or so! I thank you for that "Mama Jennifer" (I like that!)!!! Without you and your challenges, I would have dropped off a while ago. So please stay with us! We all need you...and each other! Not that you would ever leave your chickies, but I just wanted to remind you how valuable you are! (Which reminds me that I owe you a package and I keep forgetting to take the darned envelope to work with me so I can mail it! )

I also like that we all have the same struggles (I am sure Mama Jennifer does too, she just doesn't want to talk about them--ahem!) but can see that moping does no good! I am feeling good today about my choices and I am happy to have all of you with me!

Kitty-Congrats on the 3 lbs.! That's great! I am sure that's what your weight stated originally--164.

2sw33t-You are doing awesome. Great job on doing the exercise. It's always hard when we really don't want to. I really have to challenge myself every day...and then remember that I am doing this for myself!

Hotcup-Glad to see your post, too. Good choice on the WW and I am sure you will find what you need with it. Sometimes we just need that extra push or like me...to push myself a little harder! Have you ever tried the NO sugar thing? I find that the weight comes off so much quicker and easier with no sugar. I also try to stay away from flour too but not so strict with that. I have more of a problem with sugar! WE are all so capable of handling so much more than what we make ourselves do. We just have to get to the point of realizing that we want it bad enough! Anyway...keep posting even if you feel down about things. That's what we are here for...not to worry about saying something that will bring others down! We are here to write our feelings, successes and failures and to support one another. So write your little heart out every day...I do (DUH!) and I am sure you all get bored with it, but that's ok. I feel better after I have journalled!

Angie-great going on the calorie intake! You are doing super despite all your set backs! You are so motivating to me!

I need to wrap this up. A certain 4 year old is waiting patiently for me and I promised her a popsicle when I got done here. So...gotta run and finish drinking my water. Will check in later tonight after little one is in bed!

Hugs to all!

Good Evenng Ladies,

Everyone sounds good, we are all moving right along. Today was a cross training day for me, I got it in before work, and I've eaten pretty good today, I had 2 handfulls of nuts, Thank God I have small hands because I know that did some caloric damage, but I was starving when I got home, and and needed something to tied me over, till dinner. It worked, now I can wait for dinner. Tomorrow, is running and weights in the evening. Hope everyone has a nice night, its supposed to thunderstorm here.

take care

Didn't do too well today, after all, guys. I think I'm getting a cold -- have that icky, drained feeling. So what'd I do, after a super-healthy day? I finished it off with a bowl of ice cream on top of a brownie. ARGH.
I was going to go to bed early, get some extra sleep to kill of whatever bug I'm starting to get... but I guess that's no use. I hate insomnia! *strangles Insomnia* You go away. I don't like you. *kick, kick*

Tomorrow will be better.

At least we did go on a walk tonight. I'll do a little extra on the bike tomorrow, and NO ICE CREAM for me all week. That means 4 days w/o it.
I WILL get back on track tomorrow.

is in the air. Everywhere you look around...it's right here on this little support group! It's at work, it's here at home! ARH!

It's early yet. I woke up super early this morning (DH was making a lot of noise on his way out the door at 5:30 and woke me and DD up...so had to get her back to sleep) and coudln't go back to sleep myself. I really don't feel like exercising this morning (all bloaty and just that yucky TOM feeling!) So I am going to drink some tea, eat some breakfast, watch some news and then get ready for work!

I didn't mention in my post yesterday, but I weighed yesterday (Tuesday's my day but was going to wait til next week). I'm still waiting til next week! The scale didn't budge (but up a #) and I knew this would be the case, which is why I didn't want to weigh. PMS always adds a few #'s. So, even though I expected it, it was just a bit disappointing! Fear not, I will stick with my plan today as best as I can and here's the rundown:

B-fast (this seems to be holding over the hunger til lunch these days)
Oatmeal, pecans, raisins, cranberries & milk

Snack (will pack one...just in case): a banana w/ some PB

Lunch: My yummy soup and brown rice added to it. Some sort of protein, probably some cheese, an apple.

PM snack: a handful of almonds.

Supper: Hmmm....good question! Nothing planned yet.

Hope all you chickies have a great day! Stick to your goals and think positive! I will do the same. BTW, I will be exercising when I get home today! Have to!

Today I'm strapping on my Rambo head band and gritting my teeth. Determined to "make a difference". My sister told me she was starting WW today and even if I don't even hear from her (we don't talk everyday) I'm back at it today.
I've got laundry to do, cleaning galore and I want to work on my closets, but I'm fitting exercise in SOMEWHERE today Lots of choices: like nearly 40 exercise tapes and equipment all over the place. My house looks like a gym (a dusty gym).
I have a three day week end and since my Pooh Bear was too ill to come visit me, it seems like six days. I keep thinking I have to go back to work tonight, but nope, ANOTHER day off. I guess it's because I miss Pooh, but wow, are all week ends this long when you spend them alone? Cool.
It's been sunny and warm for my week end, but my old shaded house is always freezing. It's nice in the summer, but wow it's cold in here! Okay there's no smiley for that one. LOL. So if I get off my behind and get to cleaning AND/OR exercising, I'll be warm in no time Bye for now. Thanks for all the support. And Mamma Jennifer? Hows it going? How's your butt? Is it still cursing me from your bike ride? Uhhhh I don't suppose that's going to make sense to other people, is it? Jennifer's butt is cursing me? Uhhh I'll let Mamma Jennifer explain it. I'm just leaving, giggling.

Good morning chickies. Sounds like everybody is doing really well. I wasn't exactly OP yesterday, so I'll have to be more diligent today. I ate 1500 calories, not too bad, but I'd like to keep it lower since I can't exercise this week. it's really hard to cut out 200 calories. Guess I'll have to give up my evening snack. That would definitely help. Seems like I've been really hungry lately. Well, I guess I shouldn't say hungry so much as craving chocolate like no other. I even comtemplated making a cake last night. AFTER I'd already eaten a chocolate bar. tsk, tsk, tsk. I think I'm going to try your tactic Hikein and just give up sugar. I know I'm addicted to it. I don't have any sweets in the house and last night I was foraging in my fridge and came across a bag of chocolate chips. I just had this image of me tearing open the bag and pouring all of them into my mouth That was enough for me to put down the chocolate chips and back away slowly. The sad thing is that I'm not even all that big of a chocolate fan. Not by itself anyways. I hardly ever eat plain chocolate. That's why I picked up the chocolate bar, I figured I'd be able to only eat half of it. Yeah right! That was delusional. Well I hope everybody has a great day, and no chocolate for me today!

I did my planned exercise yesterday . And my legs can feel it, too. I need to make sure I do some stretching today - I haven't been doing it much lately. Today, I've got Curves and some jogging on the treadmill.

I'm kinda hungry today, so I just ate a couple extra almonds to hold me until lunch. I hope it works, or I'll end up eating lunch really early and then I'll be hungry early in the afternoon.

Anyway - so far, so good.

Happy Hump Day, Challenge Chickies! Man oh man, did yesterday fall to pieces here at work. Sheesh!

Sorry I never made it back here yesterday. I'll explain later. First things first- this is my favorite part...Mamma Jennifer (I love that- thanks Mary!) gets to hand out the rewards!



Angie- in my hurry yesterday, I missed those hidden #s in your post
7 pounds- kick butt, girl! Woo Hoo! Excellent!




HappyTX- congrats on the 4 pounds- awesome! Way to go, girl! I'm so proud!





Lucy- good work- 3 pounds! You're just amazing with all that exercise!




Mary- 7 inches lost, despite her protests to the contrary... the weight will come off, chickie dear, and this shows that there is change happening...and I am behind you all the way! You rock, turtle buddy of mine!






Major Kudos to all the Challenge Chickies for their efforts...I am proud of each and every one of you, and all your hard work and dedication. You make me stay the course, and keep me accountable, and for that, I owe you more than you can imagine!