Good Morning Ladies (and any men lurking around)

First off, I want to apologize for being pretty much MIA lately except for some quick update posts. Normally I love doing personals but with last weeks business and the further decline of my aunt's health (she passed away yesterday) I just really didn't have the energy to put forth anything else. After this weekend you can likely expect to see the "regular me" return.

I have been feeling the stress lately and that's the truth. As a result, my eating hasn't been as good as it usually is though I must say I'm pleased with how good it has been. I'm fairly certain I've been eating maintenance calories at the very least and I have kept up with the exercise. I weighed in at 195.2 today which means I'm back to what I was before the weekend eating (and the current bowel issues which have started to move juuuuust a little post-weigh in this morning) and so I'm kind of hopeful I'll end up with a loss by Friday. Saturday is my official weigh in with Curves and as it falls before the 16th I could postpone it a week and might if I still feel bloated from being backed up. I don't want my measurements thrown off.

I hope everyone has a fantastic day. I miss you girls when I'm not posting!

Good morning ladies!!!

Ahhh, how I wish I had time for personals--but I've recently been bitten by the Productivity Bug and I need to run with it! I feel like I'm in the last trimester and nesting like crazy!

Tummy~ Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang!!! Girl, do you realized just how CLOSE you are to your goal? You have come sooooooooooooo FAR!!!! You are a constant source of inspiration hun. Bravo and congrats on a new decade!!


So, apparently all I had to do to get TOM back was to ask nicely! He showed up yesterday and I'm hoping that he doesn't do double duty to make up for the missed month. So far it's not bad, but I am feeling a bit on the crampy achy side--especially my lower back. I'm also having cravings and that's not usually my thing during TOM so who knows what's up with that. I was down a little today and I just hope it continues.

So, as you know I've got ambitious plans for the Holidays in terms of crafting and such...well, I think I may have hitched a ride on the crazy train because as of yesterday I'm now working on making quilts for the girls' beds!! I'm not what you'd call an 'experienced quilter' so I make super simple hand tied quilts (the thought of machine quilting them scares the bejimminies outta me!) and I've only made 2 so far, so to take on 2 twin sized quilts seems insane! However, I'm determined to do it. I am too cheap to buy them and I know I can do it...I just need some more fabric. I thought I would have plenty (as I have an insane fabric stash), but it turns out I don't. So I'll be hitting Joanns today in search of some fabric to go with what I have.

We plan on painting the girls' room this weekend too! So I'll be even more MIA than I have been. I really miss you ladies TONS!!! But do know that I'm checking in every day and you're all inspiring me to stay the course and keep moving forward!!

Okay ladies, enough blabbing from me--I need to shower and hit the road!! I still have laundry to fold (I washed everything in the dang house yesterday it seems!) and put away today too!

Have a fantastic day and don't forget to...

Drink Your Water!!!

SG - I'm sorry to hear about your Aunt. I'll keep your family in my thoughts.

Sandye - Your'e making me want to break out the sewing machine!! I think I miss crafting more than I thought. I think I might make x-mas presents for everyone this year. Money is just too tight to buy for everyone. And lord knows I have fabric and yarn stashes to fill a store with! Glad TOM showed up finally (you know what I mean!) I know it was making you weary.


I don't have time for more personals. It's been a rough week here as we had a funeral for one of SD's friends yesterday. She passed on Friday very suddenly due to complications of pneumonia. It was very difficult as you can imagine as she was so young.

On the weight front, I'm stuck at 169. I'm having pre-TOM cramps, so I know it's water retention, but it sucks nonetheless. I'm hoping for a big whoosh next week when TOM is gone

Have a great day everyone!

Sandye - I LOVE quilting! Keep it up, the quilts get faster and easier. I would quilt all the time if my life would just cooperate...LOL!

I'm having a great Veteran's Day so far...since I don't have to head to work this morning, I did an extra weigh-in and was down 1.8 pounds from Saturday. Now am 194.4, only 4.4 lbs from my Nov goal...YAY!

Anyway, have a great Veteran's day and remember to say a thanks to those who have fought for our freedom and to remember those who didn't return.

Jen

Gekster-Yay on that candy NSV!

Tummy-CONGRATS on the new decade! That's AWESOME! Hey, even if you don't see yourself as "dainty", isn't it amazing that someone else does?! I'd love that!! I am, unfortunately, 100% "big- boned" or large-framed, ya know...born with birthing hips and all that good stuff LOL (thanks so much to my father's side of the family heehee). I'll never be tiny or "dainty", but the good news is I carry the weight differently and tend to build muscle easily. I actually like my build, strangely enough. I guess that's the key. Knowing what we're like underneath the fat and liking it!

Sandye-You go girl! I know when I get the energy and time to get stuff done, I do it before the moment passes. I bet those quilts are gonna be fantastic...and super special since you made them yourself! Have fun picking out fabric!

SG-Sorry to hear about your aunt's passing. I hope that and all stresses ease for you in the coming week(s). Glad that you're taking care of your health during the busy times! You're doing a fabulous job making this a part of your everyday life! Once you get to maintenance, you'll handle it with ease, I'm sure.

angeephalangee-Welcome! Congrats on your recent milestone!! It's great to have you here as you continue to make progress.

mystical-I'm SO happy to hear things are going well for you!! Keep up the good work.

lauren-I did get a bit of rest and watched a movie yesterday. That was nice. Now, if the cold would just finish pestering me, I'd be thrilled!

FGG-I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your fish. I know my son would really take it hard if his fish died! It doesn't help that your MIL is not cooperating by moving out, I'm sure. I hope she finds another place soon and that stress is resolved for you and your family. I wonder if the stress is contributing to the small gains you've had. I've heard it can. I know from experience those small gains are very frustrating when you're OP and can't trace what's causing it. All I can suggest is experimenting with calorie intake and/or find a way to destress with your favorite hobby. I'm sure you'll see it turn around soon!

The cold is still lingering here, but I chose to believe it will be gone very soon. I'm still OP and doing all the right things, so I was glad to see the scale budge a little for me today. It had gone up .2/day for the last 2 days which was perplexing me a bit. I have been messing with my calories intake a little this week, so I guess I should've expected it. Here's the thing: I see on here that some girls who are moderately active (as I consider myself) are eating 1600 or 1800 calories per day. I've been eating about 1250 cals/day and it's been fine, but I thought maybe I could increase it a bit more and still see a loss. All these BMR things and all tell me I should be eating around 1400-1600 (My BMR is around 1400). I was slowly trying to raise my cals to the lower end of that spectrum. I'm only doing 1300-1350 now, but when I gained those first few days, I was annoyed. I'm thinking, "Why can't I eat the calories I should be able to eat?" So yesterday I more carefully used my calories on more nutrient dense foods, which I mostly do anyway, but I was super mindful of it yesterday. It got the small gains from earlier this week off, plus a .2 pound bonus. I don't know what to think, though. Should I just stick with the calories I've been eating or give it more time with slightly increased cals? I know as I weigh less, my calorie allowance goes down, so maybe that has something to do with it too. Just working things out still.... Good times!

Good Morning All!

So good news for me this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Down 2lbs!!!

Soooooo I am very close to my goal of reaching onderland this month, thinking that if I can lose 2lbs in 2 days (was 204 on Monday, now 202) by the end of the week I could potenially be sitting on the verge of onderland!

I am very excited girls!!! And am looking forward to a healthy OP day

mystical - Yay for feeling great and staying OP! I am having one of those days ...

Gekster - Good job on resisting that candy I had to go buy me some dark chocolate on the weekend because of my chocolate cravings after halloween. My finance doesn't want to get rid of the left over candy (because he can eat as much of it as he wants and not gain a pound!!! And because we rarely have any junk in our house!) So now when he has a chocolate I snap off a piece of dark chocolate and feel good about snacking on it!

angee - Yay for onderland Can't wait to be there!

Shrinking - Keeping my fingers crossed for you, i'm sure you'll see a drop!

iDream - LOL - TOM isn't usually that nice! Especially to me! Cravings are a super strong almost impossible to resist force for me! But I get by them with mints and dark chocolate!

Nella - Sorry to hear about your rough week, chin up it will get better

AFChick - Congrats on the loss

Ms_P - Glad to see you are still staying OP even through the cold - I know how tough that can be, I applaud you

Morning Ladies,

FGG - Thanks so much, new decades are awesome, you'll be meeting one pretty soon too. Sorry about the fish, I have a large tank and we kept cold water fish until we moved here in february. Everyone teased me b/c they were the best kept goldfish in town but I had them for over 6 years, one was a Koi named Coil and it's terrible when they die, he had been a pond fish too

Lauren - Well she's standing on skates at 3, lol, she is still using that skate trainer for thenext while anyway. They are a whole lot more fearless that we are when we get older. I mean, I know how to skate and I was still freaked out to try again but she couldn't get enough. You might want to give it a go, great exercise, lol. OMG 202!!! That's fanfrickintastic!!

Mystical - Well that sure wins uplifting post of the day! I'm so glad it's all falling into place. So how's the house full of men going?

Gekster - WTG, that's hard and it's so awesome that you used healthy coping strategies to overcome it, super proud of you hun, great job. And I bet you feel empowered too, that's the best part

Jellofer - You do have an awesome PT, that's fantastic she's doing so much to make sure you rehab right. Better follow those orders, lol. I'm not sure what's up with Delphi, I've emailed her and facebooked her and things but she's not responding and Modern Warfare just came out and she'll no doubt be very busy with that so I hope not but we may have lost her for now You too are awesome, lots of water and you're golden

Angee - Welcome to the challenge, it must be a really amusing read, lol, we're all over the place some days. Congrats on 199 and losing 51lbs too, both are monumental achievements and a great reason to stand up and cheer. The more the merrier around here and look forward to getting to know you as the month goes on.

SG - Sorry to hear about your loss, goodness it's everywhere right now. And I for one, think it's a major achievement to go through stressful times and adjust to maintenance and maintain weight. That's the total opposite of what so many of us did before and we know how hard it is to not eat in times like that, so kudos to you. Glad you're clearing out a bit, that must feel a million times better and look forward to having you back to your bright and cheery self soon.

Sandye - Ok, so you're only a bit ambitious, lol. More power to ya hun, I don't encounter crafts at the best of times, I made a scrap book once, it's a shameful attempt, I should burn it really. My strengths lay elsewhere so I'll stick with those. Run with that creativity, it burns calories like crazy never sitting down. Glad TOM found you, I'm worried about the same thing, since I've missed two is it going to be some epic tom when it does come, I'm having visions of post pregnancy stuff but my doctor assured me it won't be that bad, we'll see. Have fun with painting too!

Nella - Oh goodness I'm sorry to hear about the little girl, that's terrible! And so hard to explain to the little ones too. Hope your week gets better and make sure you keep taking care of yourself while taking care of everybody else

AFChick - Congrats on the loss that's great in 4 days, holy! Enjoy your day off

MsP - You know, that's true, it's nice when other people think that, lol, it's more my personality that I think is far from dainty and that has always colored my view on that subject. That's what messes me up a bit though, I build muscle fast and have to watch not to get too bulky and now I'm small framed, go figure. I totally agree, it's all about loving what's there, I'm realizing now, I'm going to have some butt going on no matter what b/c my upper half will be thin before my lower half and I may be smaller than I want in the face and still have hip action so I will chose to love it instead. I'm eating around 1400-1500 right now but with our height difference I think that makes us about the same calorie wise since my BMI as of today is 24.1 too. Everything I read said that the closer you get to maintenance the higher you need to eat to your BMR and work off the last with exercise alone but that hasn't proved true for a lot of ppl I know, Sandye kept hers low right till the end and it worked so I'm of the school of thought that I'm going to eat where I am until it stops working or until I get super hungry. You've also got a lot of muscle too so I'd imagine your BMR would probably be even higher than 1400. Ugh, it's crazy!! But I'm all for eating more if you can. I'd love to know how it goes, keep us posted.

Wow that was an epic post my goodness. I should have to pay rent for all the space I take up

Good news on my exercise bike, closed the deal for $50.00 and we get to pick it up on Wednesday next week. I'm really looking forward to adding some different elements to my training, help avoid injuries and change it up a bit. And just because nice things happen sometimes, I also found another beachbody program (they make p90x) unopened for half price in the buy and sell too. I just have to find out whether we can pick it up the same day so we don't have to make a special trip. Those are going to be my 75lb reward, lol, exercise stuff for a reward that's funny. So far 50lbs was a 2 year subscription to Canadian Running Magazine and final goal is a new waredrobe, can't wait!! I've already been combing through jcrew online for some shirts, I love their basics!

Enough blabbering today, I need to go get my Sting in right away and down another 0.6lbs today to 149.2 , I like being a bit further from those 150's makes me feel better. 9.2lbs to go now hehe.

SG- My condolences on your aunt.

Sandye- You always seem so be taking some kind of massive project on, but it normally goes well so I'm sure your quilts and everything else will be wonderful.

Tummy- You are a machine girl! You are very inspirational, 9.2lbs away, wow.

Grandma passed peacefully in her sleep yesterday. Everyone is all about celebrating her life and being glad she is no longer suffering, so its not a sad thing she is gone. I really appreciate the support from everyone here, it was hard to see her suffering.

As for weightloss I was down a lb to 281, making an even 30 lbs lost since I started on the site, which means I get to add a new little guy to my signature! And I am one lb away from a reward envelope! I haven't even seen them in about 3 months, so it is a pretty big deal. Because it is a holiday campus and the gym are closed but instead of taking a day off I will workout on my own. I already have a workout plan so it should be good.

Good morning girls!! Can you believe we're nearly halfway through the month already?!?! Craziness huh?

Gekster~ sorry to hear about Grandma but I'm sure she's in a much better place and not suffering any longer. It's great that everyone is focusing on celebrating her life--she would have wanted you all to do just that I'm sure.

Well girls, another busy day ahead--I think this is going to be a recurring theme until the holidays are over. It's hectic, but at least I'm keeping busy and not sitting around bored and turning to food right?

I got a bunch of squares cut for the quilts, but I still have a ton left to cut. Since I'm lame and all, I'm cutting each strip up individually--I stink at lining strips up exactly right and cutting them all together! I end up with super wonky squares when I do that--so this is taking way longer than it should, but it's all good. Once I get all the squares cut, then I need to figure out how to lay them out! I'm quilting blind here since I'm not following any pattern.

Other than that, I never got around to priming the girls room--that might have to wait until this weekend. I still have Christmas tags to start making and I need to start on a Christmas card of some kind...sheesh! Why do I wait so long? I should have started this stuff back in June!

TOM is still here and being a bit meaner than usual, but I can take it. I had a nice swoosh this morning and I'm sitting below goal again--well, below my 2nd goal that is--I need to change my ticker to reflect my new goal!!! Anyway, so that was a nice way to start the morning.

Well, hate to post and run with no personals yet again, but I need to get ready and hit the grocery store! Hope everyone has a fantastic day! Get out there and smile, be good to yourself and treat yourself right!! And lastly, don't forget to...

Drink Your Water!!!

Morning Ladies,

The site is being crazy slow for me this morning, ugh. but just a quicky today and not a lot of posts so that works out pretty well too.

Gekster - Sounds like you have a great attitude about the whole thing and life celebration is always such a wonderful idea.

Sandye - You are a crazy Christmas person, lol, wow, they sell my Christmas tags and cards at the store, I probably have some from last year, I'll just need to go shop in my basement. Pace yourself dear, I don't want to see you spread too thin, haha, cute pun I made. That was quite a whoosh, omg, that must feel great and good for you staying OP and in control to get there, bravo!

I found a little article about weekend overeating that I thought I'd share from sparkpeople since I know that can be difficult.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/...les.asp?id=466

Speaking of whooshes, dropped 1.2lbs today but I'll take it and run down to 147.8 today and now I'm pretty sure goal has changed to 130, lol, the closer I get the more I can see that this small boned nonsense is rather true. But regardless I'm going to worry more about body compostion and aim for a fat %.

Hello Chickies

Man oh man is this site slow today! I'm happy to report that things are moving through me again. It's amazing what a little normal action there will do for the mood. I didn't realize how sluggish I felt until today after having some relief. I feel fantastic despite all the icky stuff going on right now. I doubt I'll be around much in the next couple of days. I have to travel for the funeral and visitation, etc. But, I'll be thinking of you guys and looking forward to reading the posts when I come back!

Tummy Thanks for posting the article. I found that when I stopped feeling as though I could treat myself one day on the weekend... my eating really fell into place. I think a lot of us sabotage ourselves by maintaining the mentality of "weekend eating vs. weekday eating". Way to go on the whoosh!

Sandye You sure do seem busy these days! I think it's fantastic, really and it makes me oh so motivated. Unfortunately, November is National Novel Writing Month and this is my second year as a participant. My main past time right now is writing, which means sitting. I haven't gotten a LOT of time to do that (so I'm behind) but at least I'm not eating my way through it like I did last year!

Gekster Sorry to hear about grandma. Celebrate her life and treasure those memories you have of her. Also, congrats on the 30 lbs gone! It's a big milestone, I think!

LaurenA Ohhh onederland! I hope you see it very soon! It's such a fantastic feeling I can't wait to celebrate it with you!

MsP How much to eat is a constant thing on my mind and I think only you can determine that. I have decided to essentially quit trying to lose weight when my maintenance calories are at 2000. As someone who has overeaten her entire life and finds the prospect of only eating 1600 calories a day or less (I've seen some who can't eat more than 1500) is terrifying to me. This may change as I lose more weight but right now, for me... the cutoff is 2000 calories. Your numbers will vary because, as I said, I believe the number is deeply personal. Getting to the body you want is one thing, maintaining is another.

Well, that looks like everything since I posted yesterday. Thank you to those of you who offered condolences. This loss brings up painful memories of losing my grandmother, who I was abnormally close to. Everything from the cancer to the final days with hospice care at home just seems too familiar and it resurrects old emotions that are surprisingly hard to manage. I've been happy and sad in a matter of seconds the past day and I doubt it'll get any easier before the weekend is up. Thank you for thinking of me.

Hello Chickies

Man oh man is this site slow today! I'm happy to report that things are moving through me again. It's amazing what a little normal action there will do for the mood. I didn't realize how sluggish I felt until today after having some relief. I feel fantastic despite all the icky stuff going on right now. I doubt I'll be around much in the next couple of days. I have to travel for the funeral and visitation, etc. But, I'll be thinking of you guys and looking forward to reading the posts when I come back!

Tummy Thanks for posting the article. I found that when I stopped feeling as though I could treat myself one day on the weekend... my eating really fell into place. I think a lot of us sabotage ourselves by maintaining the mentality of "weekend eating vs. weekday eating". Way to go on the whoosh!

Sandye You sure do seem busy these days! I think it's fantastic, really and it makes me oh so motivated. Unfortunately, November is National Novel Writing Month and this is my second year as a participant. My main past time right now is writing, which means sitting. I haven't gotten a LOT of time to do that (so I'm behind) but at least I'm not eating my way through it like I did last year!

Gekster Sorry to hear about grandma. Celebrate her life and treasure those memories you have of her. Also, congrats on the 30 lbs gone! It's a big milestone, I think!

LaurenA Ohhh onederland! I hope you see it very soon! It's such a fantastic feeling I can't wait to celebrate it with you!

MsP How much to eat is a constant thing on my mind and I think only you can determine that. I have decided to essentially quit trying to lose weight when my maintenance calories are at 2000. As someone who has overeaten her entire life and finds the prospect of only eating 1600 calories a day or less (I've seen some who can't eat more than 1500) is terrifying to me. This may change as I lose more weight but right now, for me... the cutoff is 2000 calories. Your numbers will vary because, as I said, I believe the number is deeply personal. Getting to the body you want is one thing, maintaining is another.

Well, that looks like everything since I posted yesterday. Thank you to those of you who offered condolences. This loss brings up painful memories of losing my grandmother, who I was abnormally close to. Everything from the cancer to the final days with hospice care at home just seems too familiar and it resurrects old emotions that are surprisingly hard to manage. I've been happy and sad in a matter of seconds the past day and I doubt it'll get any easier before the weekend is up. Thank you for thinking of me.

Hello Chickies

Man oh man is this site slow today! I'm happy to report that things are moving through me again. It's amazing what a little normal action there will do for the mood. I didn't realize how sluggish I felt until today after having some relief. I feel fantastic despite all the icky stuff going on right now. I doubt I'll be around much in the next couple of days. I have to travel for the funeral and visitation, etc. But, I'll be thinking of you guys and looking forward to reading the posts when I come back!

Tummy Thanks for posting the article. I found that when I stopped feeling as though I could treat myself one day on the weekend... my eating really fell into place. I think a lot of us sabotage ourselves by maintaining the mentality of "weekend eating vs. weekday eating". Way to go on the whoosh!

Sandye You sure do seem busy these days! I think it's fantastic, really and it makes me oh so motivated. Unfortunately, November is National Novel Writing Month and this is my second year as a participant. My main past time right now is writing, which means sitting. I haven't gotten a LOT of time to do that (so I'm behind) but at least I'm not eating my way through it like I did last year!

Gekster Sorry to hear about grandma. Celebrate her life and treasure those memories you have of her. Also, congrats on the 30 lbs gone! It's a big milestone, I think!

LaurenA Ohhh onederland! I hope you see it very soon! It's such a fantastic feeling I can't wait to celebrate it with you!

MsP How much to eat is a constant thing on my mind and I think only you can determine that. I have decided to essentially quit trying to lose weight when my maintenance calories are at 2000. As someone who has overeaten her entire life and finds the prospect of only eating 1600 calories a day or less (I've seen some who can't eat more than 1500) is terrifying to me. This may change as I lose more weight but right now, for me... the cutoff is 2000 calories. Your numbers will vary because, as I said, I believe the number is deeply personal. Getting to the body you want is one thing, maintaining is another.

Well, that looks like everything since I posted yesterday. Thank you to those of you who offered condolences. This loss brings up painful memories of losing my grandmother, who I was abnormally close to. Everything from the cancer to the final days with hospice care at home just seems too familiar and it resurrects old emotions that are surprisingly hard to manage. I've been happy and sad in a matter of seconds the past day and I doubt it'll get any easier before the weekend is up. Thank you for thinking of me.

Wow! I finally got on here. I've been trying all day with no luck until now. So, my quick post (since I'm not confident it will work) is just to say I'm down another half pound to 135.6 today. I'm closing in on that initial goal. We all know I'm not stopping there, but it'll feel good to get that one under my belt! Hope you all have a wonderful and productive day!!

I saw my doctor this morning and she is super proud, 33 lbs gone since I started seeing her! That is 10% of my start weight. But.. this was since April. I feel like I should be further along though I didn't tell her that. It is my own fault for not being nearly as dedicated as a lot of you. But even though I didn't say anything she seemed to have the same thought because she was suggesting that I RAISE my calories! I usually take in 1300-1500 and I do lose on that, but she said I should go for no less than 1800 on days of no exercise and on days I work out go all the way to 2000. What do you guys think about this?