Hey all! Welcome Jessica2 (You've been dubbed it seems lol)

Ang- sorry to hear things are so hectic right now, do your best to find a bit of yourself time soon so you don't get over loaded! I hope things calm down soon for you.

Mette- I know I know, I am a big wussy. I should just go do the weights like you did! Maybe I will just piece together a routine for myself on the other machines, until I am more confident. I mean, they work the same muscles right? I'll have to check out the ladies who lift forum for some tips, and some do's and dont's.

Jessica2- Nice to meet you, and hope that you find some solid support here and around the forum. When I first got on here, it was weeks before I started reporting back with anything but negative stuff. ;P So hang in there.

As for me, I weighed this morning (okay, I confess, I got addicted to the scale during Phase I and weight myself every morning) and was down to 171. I seriously can't remember the last time I saw the scale ring in so low! I am soooo excited. It's really got me encouraged and motivated to continue on with this and do more. I've lost all this so far, by mostly just dieting, and I've lost inches in both my waist and hips - I just KNOW that if I added in some strength training and cardio that I will start really shaping up! (haha pun) Anyway, I am feeling good, my pants are falling off my hips and I can't wait to get to the point where I can go buy some new clothes that look more feminine and nice, and less baggy/sloppy.

Have a good day girls, good luck with your goals, pamper yourself and smile!

Hi Ladies,

As I've been eating whatever I want and not exercising, I feel like I've abandoned my plan completely and feel a little guilty posting these days... I'm doing fine, work is kicking my butt (which is part of the reason why I haven't made time to cook or even think about the gym, I'm exhausted...) I've gained back two pounds, but know that it will start to creep back if I don't slow down and refocus on my goals. Sheesh.

Welcome, Jessica2! :-) These gals are great and I know you'll find all kinds of support here.

Hope everyone is well. I have to go in to work early this morning, so that's all for me for now. Hope I'll be welcome back even in my gluttony! *sigh*

Jessica

Hi guys!
Well, I finally had my exam today! I have been studying pretty hard, and now I’m exhausted and just want to go to sleep! I’m not sure how I did yet, I think I’ll know Friday whether I passed or not. I sure hope I did – the questions were hard and I definitely did not know all the answers. I’m hoping for the best.

Jessica2: welcome! Since you have lost 45lbs and kept it off for 2 years, you really know how to do it, don’t you? What did you do to maintain the weight for 2 years? Did you just keep up what you did while losing the weight?
I started maintaining my weight last month, and so far I’ve just added calories – I ate about 1500 a day while losing weight and I’m up to about 2000 a day now. I’m still losing a little – I’ve lost 2lbs since I started maintaining – so I’m still adding calories. I also lift weights so I try to add proteins and good, healthy food. But sometimes I eat cookies too!
I hope you come back often and that you enjoy this place!

Ang – so sorry to hear about your friend’s stroke and how busy and chaotic your life became. Did your new attitude and SBD-restart go out the window in the middle of it? It doesn’t matter of course; it will be time for that when things have calmed down again. Take care of yourself in the midst of everything!
And I just have to tell you – the weather has been really bad here the last weeks, so I’ve abandoned my Tuesday and Thursday morning jog. But I discovered the wonders of the treadmill at the gym, and how I can program speed, time, intervals, and everything! And I’m completely hooked! I can measure my progress weekly! (Oh yes, I am a geek, and I measure progress – I have an excel worksheet where I record my weight lifting and now my running too! )

Renee – yes, the machines work the same muscles – sort of. But the free weights are better exercise because you also coordinate your body while lifting them, and you use more body parts (more muscles) on each exercise. The machines tend to be very specialized.
But of course it’s good exercise to do the machines, and it *is* a good place to start. But just remember – if you get bored – that the free weights are an option too. And they’re more challenging and ergo less boring! ;-)
I started out with the machines and got bored after a while, so I sort of dropped out of the gym – and then I read Krista and wondered whether I would dare to try the weights in the scary room of the gym. And I’m very glad I did, even if I spent quite some time getting there.
Just start where you’re comfortable Renee, and you’ll do great!
Great to hear that you’re losing the pounds! Congratulations!

And Jessica – very glad to see you back too! You know, you should come and hang out with us – no matter how you’re eating. Good to hear you’re doing fine though! The gained pounds will come off once you get back on plan again.
Have you figured out what threw you off? Did you get bored? Was your program too strenuous? Did the stress from work take up too much time? Other things?
There’s some great knowledge to be gained from it: figuring out what doesn’t work.

OK. I’ll see if I can do something about this sleep deprivation of mine! Have a great Wednesday everybody!

Hey guys! Anyone out there, cmon, don't be shy. Where'd everyone go? Hope things are going well for everyone. Still trucking along slowly but surely here. Have allowed myself a few too many treats and 'oh it wont hurts' but getting back into the more solid groove.

We won at softball today, had a blast. I even made it to second on an infield bobble! The team was soooo proud. It was great, I am really feeling better about myself lately.

Well take care ladies, drop a note so I know that you guys are doing ok.

Wow where is everyone!? I feel .... so .... alone. Come back!

Hi Renee.

I know I have been away for a long while but I have to admit that I checked in the other day and there was no activity so I though everyone had abandoned the group. I'm still here though. Work is extremely hectic so I have had a lot less time for e-mail but I'll make a better effort. Short update...

I'm still hashing it out with bf. The farm is done - frost killed the rest of the plants. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do about 'gardening' over the winter but that relates directly with bf situation so I don't know yet. I got the SB Diet book and hope to find time to read it and start next Monday. How is it going for you? Are you still having success? Any thoughts/advice/encouragement would be appreciated. I know Phase I is going to be hard, particularly alone, but I figure it is only for 2 weeks so I'm going to give it a shot. I also need to get back into running. After I went away to my conference something happened to my life and I need to get it on track again.

How are you doing? Has the stress at work still been lower than before?

What ishappening with everyone else? mette - how is school? I am sure it is keeping you busy. How are your exams going?

Jessica - how is work, life, Mike?

Hey Ang! Wow, so good to hear from you.
Work has been up and down lately for me. I am in the process of getting out and looking for other stuff in the meantime. Stress somedays is alright, somedays horrid.

The diet is discouraging right now. I am fluctuating between 169-171 and have been for like three weeks now. I am going to try a new approach, and do a little bit of Weight Watchers - while choosing the carbs/fats that SB recommends. I think I have cut out too many calories.

I also need to get into some kind of exercise, I still haven't. I am all talk when it comes to that.

Is there any indoor type stuff you could garden? Hope things work out with the bf, you could should find a wintery hobby to do together... like, uh cross country skiiing? I have no idea. :P

Renee - what other types of work/jobs are you looking for? Any luck? Work has been pretty stressful for me to but I'm sure in different ways. I am trying to do too much and still learning how to play nicely with others.

I'm sorry to hear that the diet is discouraging. Have you been sticking to the plan pretty well? Do you recommend I go ahead and try it? How much weight have you lost since you started? almost 20? I definitely think that exercise is necessary for good health and should definitely help you with continued weight loss. If you're not eating enough that would also stop your weight loss. Maybe mette will come back and can talk more about amounts. Have you thought about counting your calories for 2 or 3 days to just see how much you are truly eating?

What do you think is stopping you from exercising? I haven't exercised either and I think it is partly weather and partly the schedule I am keeping. I am making other things more of a priority than myself - not good. I know I need to sit down and come up with a cold weather exercise plan and just give it a try. I'm not sure if that will mean joining a gym or trying to run at lunch - yuck!

For me and gardening through the winter it will be a little work outside with cold frames (winter lettuce, carrots, beets, etc.). The crops are low maintenance and not very big but at least it's something to do. Come March I am going to start planting seeds in my house. That should be fun. This winter I need to do some reading to learn more about planting inside and how to make the farm more profitable next year. I'm also working on helping the old man at the farm clean his house and stuff. That should keep me busy at least for a few more weeks - I may even get a chance to help plaster, paint, etc. If I can learn how to do it there then I can bring the knowledge back to my house.

What types of outdoor activities do you like to do in the winter? I enjoy skiing and sledding. I'm not against ice skating too. I think there's stuff to do in the winter, it's just finding time and people to do it with that's the problem for me.

Sorry Ang, and whoever else is peeking in still - I was down in Florida. I totally did not follow the diet, but all that walking around Disney, and I managed to maintain my weight. Now it's back to the drawing board. I'll post more tomorrow. Tired now.

Hi Renee. I hope you had a good time at Disney. Tell me all about it when you have a chance. Are you going back to Phase I with the diet? I have sort of been trying to start the diet but I never make enough time to sit down and plan out groceries and a menu for the first week. Maybe I'm just not committed enough yet. I have just been terrible about grocery shopping (worse than ever) and cooking. At the rate I'm going I won't be eating anything within a year - I bet I would lose weight though.

It's another week - anyone else out there?

Well back at the desk today and trying to keep a good attitude going so far. I have my new stuffed 'Sullivan' (from Monsters Inc.) sitting on my radio to help keep me cheery.

My sister and I go down to visit my dad every year, so it's getting to be routine. We do the parks, the beach, shop, just kick back and do whatever really. We had a lot of ice cream (sometimes twice a day) and Dairy Queen was just about the most staple part of our diet. She gained weight (she has a bad foot and was thus in a wheelchair, not walking) and I maintained (because I was pushing her around all the time haha!) It was a blast though.

I was going to stay on phase II of the diet now. I thought I had slimfast here at work still so didn't bring anything or stop, and now I have nothing! I am in a bit of a panic - but maybe time will go by quickly and lunch will be here. I can eat my snacks too I suppose - then go out and get something more at lunch.

My sister and I did a liberal approach to the SBD and still lost. We both hit plateaus now, (as of abouve 3-4 weeks ago) and haven't budged since. We still think it might have been too few calories. My new plan was to do a SBD/WW - aim for a certain amount of points each day, while choosing foods that would be SB approved. Basically, make sure my carbs are from fruit/veggies and whole grain/whole wheat stuff.

I know that my real hitch is exercice. I don't do it. I could probably bust this plateau if I just got up! I just, am really selfish with my me time. Since I don't enjoy exercise, I'd rather spend it at home with video games, or hanging out with friends.
We'll see. Winter's coming. If we get a good freeze going, I can start skating again!

Ehm… Is this thing on? Testing 1-2-3. Can anybody hear me??

Or is the thread long dead? Ang, Renee and Jessica – have you all left the forum, or are you still lurking and reading posts sometimes?
How are you doing with your diets and exercising? How are you doing in your lives, jobs, with your boyfriends?

My semester is over and I’m on Christmas vacation. School has been very busy and did take up most of my time this fall. I haven’t been on 3FC much at all the last months, except for posting a few posts in “Ladies who lift”.
My weight maintenance is going very well. In the beginning I moved between 181 and185lbs, but the last month I’ve been stabilizing on 183lbs. I don’t eat any different from what I did when I lost weight, except that I eat more. Somewhere between 1900 and 2000 calories a day. And I try to eat more protein.
I still do weightlifting 3 times a week at the gym, and I really, really like it. I changed my program at the beginning of November (after 3 months), and I’m still getting stronger but not it’s not happening as fast as it did in the beginning. I’m not doing much cardio though, so my aim for the new year is to increase that.

I would love to hear from you guys again. Wish you all a great holiday: a merry Christmas, a happy New Year, and all that!!
:merry:

I'm around although life seems to be getting busier each week. It's amazing how you think that life can't get any worse/busier and then wham! something else happens.

I have not been in the forums at all as this was the thread that kept me coming back. I haven't been getting on the computer at home much at all so personal internet/e-mail stuff has slacked. I would be happy to do more at work, but darn it if they don't expect me to actually get some research done while I'm here.

I'm glad you are back mette and doing so well with your weight and lifting. How was your semester? Any response from Renee or Jessica? I am getting ready to go to CT for the holidays but will be back with updates of my own. Maybe getting this thread going again would be the motivation I would need to get moving again. I haven't been eating right (emotional eating) and I haven't been exercising much at all. Consequently I have gained at least 5 pounds and it doesn't feel good at all. I finally gave in and realized that I must go buy some new pants to wear. I can't go to work naked.

Have a Merry Christmas and I'll be back on Sunday, hopefully to a thriving thread.

:merry:

Hi Ang, it’s so nice to see posts in our thread again!
I haven’t heard anything from Renee or Jessica yet, put perhaps they’ll check in again soon (maybe after New Year?).

So – busy, busy, busy at work? It can be good, as long as you’re not completely stressed out – I suppose? I’m still looking forward to hear what happened to the boyfriend – and where the new one came from.

My semester this fall was fairly good; I took a course in neuropsychology with some hospital practice (mostly neuropsychological testing) and a course in community psychology. I liked the neuropsychology better than the community psychology – real people and patients are more interesting than theories and theoretical populations.
For my next semester I’m basically doing hospital practice for most of the semester – it’s the longest period of external practice we’ll do before we graduate next January. I’m going to work with patients who’re trying to live with chronic pain from diseases like cancer, rheumatism, etc. I’m both completely terrified and looking forward to it!

And I just came back home today from spending Christmas with my mother, so I’m going to vegetate on the sofa today. Tomorrow I’ll find out what happened to the scale after 4 days of eating constantly and completely without restraints. I’ll also get back to the gym for some weightlifting and some cardio tomorrow.

Hope you had a nice holiday Ang! And I hope we’ll get this thread going again too!

Hey guys! Hi hi hi hi hi! So good to see you again! I lurked around but went into hiding when things got so quiet!

Work is going well actually, the stress has vanished and they gave us nice bonuses for Christmas!! Pretty content with where things are and so that is good. Next step. Find husband! LOL!

Weight loss is going great! I am still losing very slowly, but it is adding up quickly. The past 3 weeks has been nothing but cheating, but I haven't gained any weight back, so I am not hating on myself yet. I think what happens, is that I eat some candies/chocolates, then feel sick, then don't eat for a while... etc etc. It's an unhealthy teeter-totter, but now that holiday stuff is over, so should it be over!

I really want to get back into going to the gym, as I haven't touched it in months. I know that many people do this as their resolutions and I am prepared to have a busier than normal gym for a while. I told myself, too bad, you're going anyway, get over it. I 25 lbs to lose to get to my goal weight, and intend to get there by May 1st (Which I think is totally doable at 6lbs a month.) Softball should be great by then!

Also, in another 5lbs I reach my next mini goal in which I sign up for riding lessons again, which is only going to account for more exercise! (Great for the legs and butt too, woo!)

Good to see you gals, happy holidays and wishes for a bright new year!