Update on our St. Patty's Day Goals:

St. Patrick's Day Goals (3/17/11)
- Ann72-- Get to 210 -- still stuck at 218
- Jacki73-- Reach the 210's (2teens) -- down to 228
- Lts girl -- Hit the low 160's -- down to 172
- Beila - Be binge free and reach 145 lbs. -- at 152

Ann, thanks for posting the goals up for St. Pattys. I really need to stay on track and keep my eyes and focus on the goal. Your reminder really helps me

Jacki, you really amaze me each day and its so motivating to read what you do for your exercise! Even with your injury, you are still going at it! Nothing will stop you from shedding the pounds now! I also LOVE Dr. Oz! I know the hormone cortisol causes belly fat too. I try to live stress free and be as relaxed as possible. For my binge problem, I'm going to start journaling and write down my feelings. It's getting better, the binges are not as severe, and I'm seeing improvements. I still am trying to be binge free, and it is hard for me. For now, I am also incorporating some advice from Prevention magazine, the "Flat Belly Diet" which allows you to eat MUFAs. If interested, look up MUFA and FLAT BELLY DIET. Basically just eating small portions of food with healthy fats and more frequently, and drinking more water. I started to take my vitamins today too as I feel the cravings for junk food aren't so bad when I take my vitamins.

LT, your almost in 160's!! I hope we both get down to our new digits soon. I will try try try to get into 140's. We'll get there!

You girls motivate me so much and I just want to say THANK YOU! I really feel lost hopeless sometimes, and its very motivating reading your cheers and kind words.

Dietwise, the past few days was just ok, binged a few times. This week, I really will try harder and stop the binging. Exercise has been superb and I'm really thankful to have the nice weather and gym to help me get my cardio. Each day I burn about 600-700, sometimes 800 calories doing moderate intensity cardio, jogging, walking, or elliptical machine. But this week, I'm going to see if I can workout twice, once in morning and once in late afternoon. I need to rev my metabolism.

Aslo, I will be drinking lots more water. 2 glasses before every meal. I tried that today and was surprised how full I was. I don't need as much food!

Hope you girls can try the water trick too. It really works! Drink between meals too, so like one in between meals and 2 right before your meal.

Talk soon!

Oh someone asked about protein bars, I really like kashi go lean bars, and think thin. The think thin ones taste really good too. They have a lot of protein too.

Unfortunately, they trigger binges for me, so I have stopped eating them for now. I know they are supposed to be a snack for workouts, but since they taste so good, sometimes I would end up eating 2.

Beila- try to find bars that are high in protein and have low or no sugar. The sugar is what makes you want to binge. I like the pure protein chocolate peanut butter ones.

And talking about binges...I have been eating junk all afternoon and evening! Ugh!

Oh no, stop Ann. Do something to occupy your mind. I usually go online and read on this forum or do something else. The time goes by fast that way.

About the protein bars, I really have tried a lot of them. The think thin ones have no sugar and they're still addictive. But they do have sugar alcohol, which I'm skeptical of. I haven't heard of pure protein, but will look for it next time in the store.

I did Round 2 of exercise today! I haven't done 2 ROUNDS in a day in so long! WOOO HOOO! I think Jacki sorta motivated me into it! Thank you girl!

My 2 exercises total over 1100 calories. It would have been more but a scary homeless man kept trying to catch up to me in the park, and it started to get darker outside. So I gave it up and left right away. Next time I will have to start at 4pm if I'm going to the park.

Soooo, I wanted to post some tracks on my iPod that some of you might like. You can search the tracks on Playlistdotcom and build a playist there. If you have favorite workout songs, share them with me!

Enjoy!

Stronger - Kanye West
Forever - Drake
Right Above It - Lil' Wayne
All I Do Is Win - DJ Khaled
Yeah 3x - Chris Brown
In My Head - Jason Derulo
Like A G6 - Far East Movement (put your hands up!! lol)

So the kids are in bed and I have time to sit down and write. My weekend was nothing but a binge fest. I love it when my DH comes to visit, but it always ends up like this....
Friday - Sushi for lunch. Pizza for dinner.
Saturday - cereal for breakfast. salad with leftover roast for lunch. Olive Garden tortillini with braised beef with salad for dinner. (I only ate half)
Sunday - Donuts for breakfast. no lunch. Wal-mart pick 3 (wings) for dinner.
Today - IHOP for breakfast. Leftover torillini for lunch and DQ for dinner. (and if I am being honest, I had a grande caramel mocha from SB)

I feel like crap. Not because I feel guilty or anything like that. My body feels like crap. I feel exhausted and my stomach hurts. So ready to get back on track tomorrow. Didn't work out at all! I don't feel "bad" about it. So that was my rant/confession. I was surprised by the -2.4lbs on the scale this morning. Moving on....

I would be very careful with the protein bars. The one I looked at the other day had 13gms of sugar. Ha! Put it right back on the shelf and walked on.

Beila - water is what I missed all weekend. I usually drink between 8 to 10 glasses a day. Definitely helps with the appetite.

Just checking up with everyone. Was reading the other day how important protein is. It said to eat at least 30 gms within a half hour of waking up. When you eat at least 30 grams, that period of synthesis lasts about 3 hours—and that means even more muscle growth.
I have been drinking a protein shake and I seem to not be as hungry.

Just wanted to share. Chat with you all later.

Where is everyone this morning? Well good morning. Went to spin class this morning and feeling great.

Beila - here is my playlist for cardio. (I listen to anything when I'm just doing weights.)

Girl Talk - it is a remix of a lot of songs that I love with a great beat. It is not on itunes.
The Queen and I - Gym Class Heroes
Pump It - Black Eyed Peas
Forget you - Cee-Lo
I want you to Want me - Cheap Trick
Sexyback
Hey Ya - Outkast
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
It Takes Two - Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock (don't judge me....lol)

Hi girls!

LTs girl, Thanks, I am shocked by it all too! My mind is in a good place, and nothing is stopping me. That is great, I knew he would notice! Guys notice more than we think they do! Congrats on the weightloss even with going off of plan! My body wouldn't be so generous! LOL I saw a segment about that on Dr Oz, The 4 Hour Body, the author did experients on himself. Actually counting up my protein smoothie it is over 30 gms. I am fine ALL day! I have to make myself eat snacks and lunch. I just don't feel hungry but I can eat. So I guess it is true! I love Black Eyed Peas! GREAT songs!

Ann, Thanks for updating the challenge, it is nice to see! GREAT reminder! I hope you were able to put that food down. I know it is hard! You can do it, girl!

Just think of what you want more? Eating healthy and exercising gives you a longer fuller life. I just ask myself "what do I want more"? The answer is always there! I also think about the future, if I keep doing what I am doing (before), where will I be in 10, 20, 30 years? What kind of shape will I be in? Of course holding the weight now is nothing, but how will your body be able to handle it when you are older. I don't want to be overweight when I am 60+! I expect to live a long life, and I want to be able to ENJOY every moment of it!

Beila, Thank you so much! My husband wanted me to take it easy, but I just couldn't. I am in a groove, my mind is set. I just have to be careful with certain moves. 2 rounds of exercise, woohoo girl! Nice song list. I do not listen to Lil Wayne. Out of the 6 I do listen to, Like a G6 is my fave! LOL

I also like:

Justin Timberlake - Bringing sexy back
Beyonce - Single Ladies, and Irreplaceable
Destiny's Child - Say my name, Survivor, and Bootilicious
Jennifer Lopez - Jenny from the block, Love don't cost a thing, and If you had my love.
Timbaland and Nelly - Promiscuous
Timbaland, Nelly and Justin Timberlake - Give it to me

I will add more later!

I finished Day 5 of P90! Cardio at the gym tonight then tomorrow is my off day! That will be VERY weird, no exercise! LOL Breakfast was my usual protein smoothie, lunch is a BELT sandwich (turkey bacon, egg beaters, lettuce, tomatoes on whole wheat bread. Dinner will be fish tacos, never tried it before, so I will let you know how it is! LOL

My knee is feeling better, a little swollen, but it is about 65 %, little ways to go!

I hope everyone is doing good!

Hi ladies,

Ok, the binge monster left me last night and I'm back on track. I'm going to blame it on PMS, although I have no clue if it really is related (why can't i remember if i last had my period 3 or 4 weeks ago?!?...lol). All is well on the diet/exercise front today.

Hope you're all doing well.

Jacki--glad the knee is better! My right knee has been acting up the last few months. Comes and goes and hurts when I put weight on it or when I twist at the knee. DH says it may be arthritis?!? Wow, crazy to think of that in my late 30's. Your eating and exercise sounds great as usual. You are 100% committed and never seen to veer off track. Amazing!

LTsgirl--Sorry for the bingefest, but it's all good since you were with DH and now you're back on track. Glad it didn't impact your weight.

Beila--So, are you binge free today? Maybe we can check in daily on that front and support each other to stay binge free.

As for music while working out, I have the Pandora app on my iphone. It's free. I put in all my favorite artists and listen to a shuffle of them. My faves for working are are Foo Fighters, Green Day, U2, Chris Daughtry, Train, Nickelback, and that type of thing. I LOVE Pandora! And even more, I love that I don't have to spend money or waste time downloading music. LOL.

Oh Ann, I'm not happy to say, I binged today. I was so emotional waking up and I was like 155, was like what?! I had to go somewhere today and traffic was ridiculous, 2 accidents on the freeway. Anyways, I ate loads, not even wanting to admit what I ate today, just junk. Anyways, I do need extra buddy support from you if you can help me, I'll help you too. We'll get through this together.

I feel so sick right now, I can't even workout. I'm just going to have to start all over again tomorrow with full force.

Thanks all for your support this far. I'm going to try harder.

Beila - could just have been water weight from the sodium that comes with binging. Flush it all out with lots of water, and as an added benefit you'll feel fuller. (like you don't already know that, but sometimes we have to be reminded. lol) Or is it possible that it is TOM? I always feel emotional, gain 2lbs, and have outrageous cravings. Isn't being a woman just great! I started tracking when TOM was so that I don't freak out when this happens. The only good thing that comes out of it is the big whoosh after.

The only thing I could say is be prepared. Maybe have some snacks in the car or in your purse that are nonperishable or have a long shelf life for when unexpected things come up. Peanuts in my glove box.

Maybe you could just walk tonight. You might feel better. It doesn't have to be all out. Just a thought. Hope you feel better tomorrow. Here's to not binging!

Thanks LT, it is possible its TOM, or sodium, I did drink tons of water yesterday. Well, for now plan is to detox for a bit, I'm planning on drinking lots more water and just raw veggies in my fridge for the next couple of days. My body needs a rest with the sugar spikes.

Thanks again for helping me navigate my way back. ** HUG**

Beila- 2 recommendations. Add lemon juice to your water. It's a diuretic, flushes you out, and is good for the kidneys. I have a 2.5 liter pitcher. Everynight before bed I fill it with fresh, filtered water. I add either an entire lemon thinly sliced or (more often) I just throw a few tbsp of organic lemon juice that I buy in a glass bottle at the market. I drink from this pitcher all day, filling my glass from there and my sigg bottle when I leave the house. I usually finish it in the afternoon and then I have a few additional glasses of water (no lemon) in the evening. I highly recommend the lemon water everyday, but especially when bloated.

Second, go buy some parsley tea at the natural food store. Just one cup a day gets rid of all my bloat, even at TTOM. It isn't great tasting, but it works!

Also realize that the more you binge, the harder it is to stop. Sugar is such an addictive substance. I know I'm addicted. Once I binge on sugary stuff, it's so hard to resist the constant cravings the next few days. It's like a junkie that just had a fix and now wants more and more. Not sure if your binges involve lots of sugar, but if they do, consider cutting out all sugar from your system except for natural sugars in fruit and plain dairy it works for me, but is hard!

Oh, and this pertains to all simple carbs including sugar and anything with white flour. Your body metabolizes it all the same way.

Thanks Ann for the tips. I have 2 lemons which I will start to put in my water. I'll look for parsley tea next time at whole foods. I have peppermint tea which I feel calms my food cravings too.

I do need to stop the sugar cravings, I feel like an addict. Like I lose control. Sugar is an addictive chemical, and I feel that staying away from refined carbs and sugar will do me some good.

I need to take one day at a time and not rush things, feel upset easily, or give up. These are things I will just have to work on mentally. All the rest, exercising, dieting, I know I can handle. I have done it before, I just have to stick with it.

Sorry for the above rants. Thanks for all the buddy support.