Wow - well it's good to see that it's not just me right now! We all seem to be at a plateau. Pat & ana - I am going to catch up with you! We can all hit the #170s together! (This doesn't mean that you should wait for me!!! KEEP GOING GIRLS!)

I need to get back into my workouts. Oh - for my short workouts, I was considering starting the push up challenge again. I'll probably start back with week 1 though and do "real" ones this time. I need to build up the strength in my arms, and get them toned up! I would LOVE to get rid of the Chicken wings!

I also have a 10 minute Ab DVD that is part of the Slim in 6 series that I'm going to do. Also I have a DVD with 5 different 15 minute workouts. I'm going to mix them up a bit. I'm thinking that on Sundays I'm going to do a 45 minute yoga DVD earlier in the day and still the 30DS in the evening.

I also need to get some weights! I don't have any right now. For the 30DS I'm using #1 cans of PEAS! I know it sounds funny - but it's better then nothing! I'm going to look at how much some hand weights are and figure them into my budget - hopefully next week!

Alright girls, I really need to attempt to get some work done! I've been SLACKING BIG TIME!!! We'll get there together! We WILL hit our goals!!! WE HAVE TO KEEP GOING!!

Dixie, I find that qoute from your book very interesting. I have been on BP med since I was 16 years old. It is more of a genetic thing than a weight issue. I was not overweight until my mid twenties. I wonder how much the meds have contributed to my weight gain?? Although , the last three years has all been me. Terrible food choices with a tendency to binge around my hormones. I think I will research the meds I am taking. I had never even thought about BP meds causing weight gain that is so counterproductive. LOL Thanks for the heads up.

If we can stay strong we can see those 170's !!! The only workout DVD's that I have are the walking in place ones. Leslie Sansone. I have used them a few times but fail to see the point. I am sure they would work though if I just stuck with it and stopped laughing at myself for walking in place in the middle of the living room. LOL

Hi everyone!

Dixiemae, another program you may be interested in trying is "Sugar Busters." I did this one years ago and don't remember a whole lot about it. I think you basically cut out/down sugars. I do recall a GI index in that book that lets you enjoy your complex carbs or something like that. (It's been a while, so I'm really rusty on this one.)

Another program I've been on is The Carbohydrate Addicts Diet. I didn't lose on this plan, but managed to maintain the whole time I was on it, but I was able to eat my carbs. Their thing is (again, my memory may be a bit foggy here so anybody please correct me if I'm not remembering something right) their thing is that you eat foods in equal portions. For instance, dinner might be chicken, rice and green beans. Your plate is divided in 3 visually: 1/3 for each type of food: meat, carb, veggie. And I think you always eat a salad with it. ??? If you want seconds you have to eat it all in equal amounts, more green beans and meat as well as the carb you desire.

I really don't remember a whole lot about either program (except that they didn't work for me ... but for you, who knows ...)

OK, sounds like we are all in the same boat. I got my run in this am, but my knee was sore, no running tomorrow, walking or maybe I will drag my bicycle out.
I just got done pulling loads of weeds from the flower beds. (Good for the ams and back )
I just did my crunches before I go jump in the shower again. 80 upper and 75 lower
I did 10 push-ups too (thank Eny) - from my knees, girlie ones
I bench pressed 42 pounds 10 times. My son's weight bar weighs 22 pounds and I put 2 10 pound weights on.

My food has been pretty good today.

Tonight we are going on a motorcycle ride with friends, will likely ride 50-100 miles and stop somewhere to have dinner. Need to be careful what I get for dinner. And yes, I am one of those motorcycle mamas you see out there with DH. Love it and it's also a good reason to lose weight, butts look very big on motorcycles!!

To the ladies hitting the block : I haven't hit a plateau this time around -- yet -- but I know it's coming, and I'm trying to prepare for it. Last time I went months without losing anything, and I got so frustrated I simply gave up. I ended up gaining about 50 lbs of my 95 lb loss back a few years ago.

I don't want to do that this time. I see what y'all are going through, and I wish I could do something to help. All I can think of is "Don't give up."

Something that has helped me is simply falling in love with movement and trying to discover new healthy foods that I like. They don't have to be 100% healthy, but they do have to be basically healthy. I can work out lower calorie versions as I need to. Since I've joined the gym, I've discovered that exercise is the ONLY thing I've found so far that manages my depression.

It's still there, but not as deep or as long, and I look forward to the gym because I know I'll feel better then.

Hmm. I kind of got off topic, but I think my point is this: Keep exercising. Add more to it. Find something you really love to do, and stick with it. I've made that my focus rather than the weight loss, and I've found that I'm much more able to stay "on program" than I was before. And a tiny loss or a gain doesn't shatter my heart like it used to.

Exercise is what has kept me from giving up. And now that I see what my body can do now, I'm even more motivated to eat better than I was before. Losing weight is almost a side effect.

MM: I am so jealous of your motorcycle ride. What kind do you ride?

I was going to buy a Harley when I graduated college, but I realized grad school takes priority. *sigh*

So now, my goal is when I finish my MA. If I take the safety course in winter, I'll be able to wear chaps. And I so want to look good in chaps

I finally lost some more weight, I was really worried that after just starting with weight loss nothing seemed to come of. But better times await! (hopefully). Plateaus are not included in my Christmas Goal Plan. (though I will tolerate them after Christmas )

I'm also starting to look at what I eat, and I'm wondering whether I should eat low carb in addition to calorie counting. Does anybody have experience with this?

17/82

Hey girls - just checking in! Yesterday was a completely off plan day.. but I don't care too much. I'm doing MUCH better today. And actually, being off plan yesterday I was over by 300 cals, which isn't detrimental.

I'm going to keep pushing forward and working towards that goal!

Congrats, Quillie! I don't know anything about carbs or calories, really. Yet. I'm sure there are some folks that can help you with that, though. You might want to check out the diet sections?

300 cals isn't so much when it's one day. Good job getting back on plan, Eny

Good Morning Everyone. It is a beautiful Sunday here. I hope everyone is having a good day.

Eny~Good for you getting back on the wagon. 300 calories Really isn't bad. We can do this.

Quillie~C O N G R A T S on your weight loss!! Trust me I don't know anything about diets that work or how to count carbs. I am the one that was ranting about the same thing a few days ago. I am sure some one here can steer you in the right direction. Keep up the good work!

Shaker~It is sooooo good to here from you on a regular basis!

I went grocery shopping yesterday. I got most of the food items needed for the YOAD. I am going to give it an honest, healthy try. I like the exercise chapter in the book also. Here is to healthy changes.~~~I did a sneak peek weigh in this morning. I am close to where I was before the 3 pound gain. I will wait for the official WI tomorrow morning. I just might have to sacrifice a ripe red tomato. Eny are you ready for 170ville?? I am still having aches in my left hip, but I will tweek up my exercise program a little more this week. Catch ya all later Pat

Pat I'm ready.. but for some reason my body wants to stay at #186...(give or take #1 or so) Next week i'm going to PUSH definately!!! I'm going to find excuses to do some exercise... even if it's just jump on the floor and do pushups or crunches during commercials when I watch TV w/ DD (which is RARE!) or while I'm sitting w/ Joe while he plays video games - I'll see how many push ups I can do between matches. SOMETHING to build up this muscle to burn more calories!

I have a company picnic today - I'm actually looking forward to it. It's for the CEO's b-day. I lov ethe company I work for.

TOM still hasn't shown up. After looking at the calendar - I've realized that my cycle has changed over the last 6 months. I was at 28 days, and now it's closer to 32 days. Which means I'm "technically" due tomorrow. So next week should be interesting! Let me tell you though - Secondary Infertility sucks!!! Although i know I've been Very blessed by the one child I do have. I keep thinking, maybe if I lose another 10% of my weight it'll help my chances of getting pregnant.... who knows.... *sigh*

Eny~Enjoy your picnic! Beautiful day for one. About TOM ya never know> Doing exercise during commercials is a very solid idea. You would be surprised how much you can get done in that time span. Let me know how it works for you> Catch ya later Pat

Hi~I thought I would sit down and type a short post. I am emotionally upset. My ex left a short while ago. He was blowing all kinds of crazy crap in my ears. I paced the floor for awhile. Then sat down here. I need to call my lawyer first thing in the morning and check out some of the information he tried to sell me. He has not always (HA) been honest with me before, I am not sure but what he isn't playing more mind games. The court date is set, he will not settle out of court. If what he tells me is legally true I need a Plan B real quick. Like yesterday would have been great.

So far I am on program with my YOAD plan. I need to do my exercise and have dinner. I will have completed day one. How is everyone else doing? Have a great evening everyone. Catch ya all later Pat

Hey ladies!

Been a while since I've been in here, and I can't even remember what my goals where when I joined, other than to meet my goal weight. So, I've revising whatever they were, and putting it in my sig so I don't forget.

Goal #1: get into the 160s. This one's pretty clear.
Goal #2: Find an appropriate "diet" and stick with it. Basically, I need guidelines so I don't go crazy and eat nothing but bagels and butter spray. I'm thinking that once the remaining food in my fridge is cleaned out I'm going to try South Beach. I did that before, and the plan pretty reasonable, and a good way to keep track of what I put in my mouth.
Goal #3 Run 30 minutes straight. Already working on this, as the couch to 5kers will note.

So, recommitted, and there's my xmass plan!

Pat - what load is he selling you? Good job sticking with it!