Jennifer - I use a big blanket, folded up. My butt is simply too bony for it's own good!! I thought about a rowing machine, but I don't know how my shoulder would do with it. I totally hear ya on that treadmill -- Mom has one just like it, and man... it SUCKS!! You have to push SO hard to get going at all.

Cindi - TOM's suck. That is my official standpoint on them at this moment. I generally gain anywhere between 10 and 20 lbs of water weight, but I eat a lot of salt, and that retains water anyway. Feel better, and I hope you're done feeling icky soon!!

Also - for anybody who's interested, the whole disgusting ultrasound story is up on the main journal site, now. Blech.

Ya know how crazy I am? I have short tapes today. I think I am actually gonna do another 20 min on my stepper after they're done. I am NUTS!

Also - I have seen so many changes, I am going to re-measure myself tonight. I can just FEEL that I've lost some inches somewhere. I just know it.

May I just not count this whole day????? Please!!!!!

I started my day out eating my breakfast, packing my lunch and got to work. When I walked in there were 3 bags of cheap chocolate on my desk which someone had donated for Bingo prizes (res. love their chocolate). One of the bags was opened! That was my biggest mistake of the day! I should have immediately taken the bags into the activity room and not even messed with temptation! But.....NOOOOOOOO! I had to leave it on the desk and it kept calling me...until...I caved and had one piece. Then another...until finally I had eaten 4 pieces of it! UGH! The rest of the day was down hill after that and do I really have to tell you what I ate??? Ok, OK...it's messy, though!

1/2 of one of those really yummy soft frosted cookies (I wanted the other half)
Lunch: a bunch of veggies & chicken left over from last night plus some asparagus & a couple bites of salmon patty.
Afternoon...another 1/2 cookie (different kind), 2 caramels that were sitting at the desk!
Supper...a hotdog WITH a bun, 4 SF gherkin pickles, small handful of Fritos.
After Supper...2 more pieces of Easter chocolate and a small handful of jelly beans!

I told you it was ugly! Who's got the tazer??? Might as well get it out and use it on me...then maybe I will surrender to this beast!!!!

Alright...on another non-food note...hubby and daughter and I went on what started out as a power walk tonight, but ended up just a walk. Kaleigh didn't want to ride her bike and she was tired 1/2 way around the block!! Then we ran into our neighbors who were just coming home from the hospital today after a serious stroke (she's only 48) and 6 weeks in the hospital! They had been to their son's soccer game. they had to go up 2 flights of steps with the wheelchair, so I asked him how he was going to do it. He said he would take any help he could get (he apparently has a bad back), so hubby hauled the chair up the steps while we helped lift it up. DH had his workout, that's for sure.

I feel so bad, though for my neighbor (both of them). So many issues to take into consideration when someone becomes disabled (loss of income, loss of independence, more work, more stress, loss of companionship--she can't talk, etc.) I'm thinking that I want to offer some sort of help to them...maybe in an OT way (occupational therapy) which is what I do for a living. Their daughter, ironically is going to school to be an OTA, so that is helpful. So, I am going to think about this and talk it over with hubby to see what he thinks. I asked him tonight what he would do if that ever happened to me. I know he would manage, but geesh! What a change of lifestyle! I am surely thankful for my health and don't ever want to take it for granted!

So anyway...even though today was a total write off, I feel good about my thoughts! Tomorrow is a new day!

Hugs to all!

Good evening Chicks! Today has been an incredibly stressful day, @#@#@ WORK! Anyway, what can you do? I didn't even have time for lunch. I am so glad I took a can of peaches with me, or I would have fell over. I had toast with sf jelly for breakfast. I had a can of soup and 2 slices of my aunts yummy homemade bread for dinner. I feel very full, but I am way under on my cals. If that's my biggest problem....

I did get in my walk after work. We (me and the dog) made it through the neighborhood without any attack dogs today! I tried to mow the yard, but didn't get too far. It's hard to mow with just my right arm. I'm still not allowed to strain the left side! I guess I'll finish that tomorrow after work.

Lisa - WAY TO GO! 4 lbs! You look fabulous dahling!

Lucy - I've tried an elliptical at the gym. It is fun, NOT easy. My legs burned. (YEA!?) It made the stair stepper seem like a cake walk. Hmmm, now if there were a piece of exercise equipment that really was a cake walk.....

Cindi - no weight gain with that TOM? I think that's wonderful. It's not unheard of for me to gain 7-8 lbs in a 3 day time span, and then lose it in the first 3-4 days after I start. But man, talk about uncomfortable. I get the biggest calves you have ever seen! YIKES!

hikein2005 - Well, I guess just forget about how today went. You can't change it now. Might as well just move on! That is so sad about your neighbor. It really puts things into perspective. Are they thinking about having a ramp built? I was going to ask you if you worked in LTC, since you mentioned how the res. love chocolate! I am a nurse, worked in LTC, acute care, taught for a year, now I'm a case manager/supervisor in home care.

Well, I guess that's enough for tonight. Plus, my IDOL's are coming on soon. I'm such an American Idol junkie!

After that epistle, I forgot to mention kudos to Lisa who when she puts her mind to it, can really focus, focus, focus and get her act together!!! Yea for you chickie...I knew you had it in ya! Now, tell me your secret, eh???
beautiful blue dress, here she comes!!!

Jennifer, hope you got what you needed today...some fresh air and away from that office! Great job on the food today! Did you get your exercise in last night? What about this morning? Hope your finger feels better, chickie. Never any fun! Kaleigh sends kisses your way!

Lucy...awesome chickie on the exercise. Glad you are feeling like you want your body to feel. Good luck with the measurements! It's a journey, that's for sure! Prednisone...ya...nasty stuff! You must have been on it for a long period of time!

The rest of ya rock chickies...keep up the good work!

Oh, BTW we found a virus in our computer tonight...dh is trying to fix it!

Congrats, Lisa, on that amazing 4 pound loss!

At this rate, that dress will be hanging off you by May 1.

Well done, chickie- I am so proud of you!

Hey ladies!

Cindi- usuall 3-5 pound blip here with the PMS bloat- and I think it all goes right into my ankles...they sure swell up at that time, salt or no salt in the diet. Bleah....

Lucy- definitely take those measurements & let me know the total inch difference, so that way you get your award, too!

Julie- none of that sympathy- eating garbage so I fell better! Brush yourself off, or I will bring out the tazer. I did get myself big time with the steam today, so I'll be gentle...at least a few more days.

Joy- oh man! Bread is my weakness...especially if it's still warm from the oven. Mmmm...ok, I need to change the subject, quickly. Let's just say I'm a carb addict, and if it's homemade, and hot, I'm there with the butter. When I get to goal, that might be my celebratory meal...lol

OK ladies- I've got a short night ahead of me- we hit Kmart for sale items like toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, etc....laundry items, so I have bags of stuff to put away. I'll try to peek in later on tonight.

And...there is some work being done for the next challenge...to roll out on May 1, running through Memorial Day. Oh- then we've got June 1 to 4th of July. And that's about as far ahead as I can think! LOL. If you know of people who want to come in, please, invite them- we've always got room for more. If they want to wait for the first of the month and the clean slate, whatever works for them.

Have a great night, ladies!

Hi all, just wanted to put my two cents in. Sometimes I think that's about all it's worth. lol We were involved in the discovery channel weight loss thing. I didn't follow their diet but we did go to the gym. They gave 3month passes to Bally's. And I fell in love. I was doing 30 minutes on the elliciptical. That's what I got with part of our tax return. I tried every one I came across, from the most expensive ( nordictrack which is huge and smooth to the gazelle which I didn't like.) Try the ones at the stores, that's what displays are for. I have a bad knee. And the elliciptical doesn't hurt it. Oh, I did loose 8lbs while going to the gym. If I had known you all, I could have lost more. You guys are great. I don't post much but I read almost every day. I have lost 7 more lbs. The social worker at my job asked me how I was losing that I looked smaller every time he saw me. I am a home health/hospice aide. Boy the medical field is h*ll on your weight. Take care, Lady

WEll you guys are doing great!

Lisa girl: I almost had a stroke when I saw that 600 sit ups! You had me going there, I'm thinking wow, what kind of motivation does she have and can you buy it somewhere.

Lucy: Wow on the body changes. I can't say I have seen any in me, but I've just started working with some small weights on my arms. I need to do some investigating on what works best.

All: I use a treadmill, but no running, bad knees. I just walk, I am up to 30 minutes but I use anything and everything I can to keep me from being bored. My biggest helpmate is the walkman with an audio book. I just get lost in the story.

Well my food is good, I am staying on track. I weighed on Monday and lost another 2 lbs since last Wednesday (Wed is the official day) weighed today and it was the same, darn it, I was hoping for maybe another 1/2 loss. Oh well, it will all average out in the end.

Last night I only made it to 900 cal, can't explain just wasn't hungry alot. The weather has turned back cool here in North FL and it is a bit gray outside. So I got a little flat in the personality.

I am going to go check out some stuff on weight lifting and arms, hate those wings!

12 pounds lost to day.

4 lost since Apr 1.

Morning all...
Just a quick note. I WILL NOT have another day like yesterday! Did you all hear that??????

So this morning I started out withmy toning exercises and weights. Didn't have time for the bike. I am going out to dinner (girls night out) tonight with my girlfriends. Will have a salad with some chicken probably! Yum! ...and a glass of wine! Can do! Lunch is packed...rice & beans & cheese. Breakfast is ready for me to eat..cottage cheese & strawberries. Already have an apple at work for snack.

That's about it! You all rock! Thanks for keeping me motivated and for not hitting me too hard with that tazer, Jennifer!!

Hugs!

I feel so much better this morning!

Last night, I was in bed by 10:15, must have read for 15-20 minutes, and was out. I woke up briefly when hubby got into bed at 1am. Rolled over, and conked back out. I got up before the alarm at 5:45, and took my time stretching and waking up...yawn! I got on the bike and did 20 minutes- 6. something miles. Then, I was feeling good & energized, and I had the MP3 player on & hit some really upbeat songs. So, I was dancing around the bedroom in my pajamas like an idiot. LOL- luckily hubby had gone downstairs while I was on the bike, otherwise he might have woken up to a spazztic wife.

My shadow has already dogged me this morning...I swear, one of these days I'm just going to stop short & see how far up my butt she gets before she stops. This morning, it was all I could do to get rid of her. She gets in by 7:30 each morning so she can lay in wait for the first person coming into the office, and runs to whichever door she hears being opened. She took a great mood & turned it a little sour. So, I had to check in here, and get my mojo back!

Today may be another day in the park lunch, because I might just choke this idiot otherwise

Ok, enough about her...time to talk about me!

Today's breakfast:
1/3 cup smart start
1 pineapple cottage double
12oz diet coke

lunch defrosting now:
3/4 cup elbow macaroni
3/4 cup chili
1/2 oz shredded cheddar cheese

Afternoon exercise- WATP, and UB workout. No ideas yet for dinner- let's see how the day goes & what I'm in the mood for. Also, how busy hubby is.

Ladyrose- Excellent! 7 pounds- great job! Check in tonight for your award once I'm home to upload it here. Which elliptical machine did you get? Any neat features? I've been interested in trying it out, but I am not brave enough yet to go into a gym, even on a guest pass, since I really don't know many people in my general area.

Magnolia- Great job with the additional 2 pounds- kicking booty! I'll be uploading your new award tonight as well!

Julie- I'll keep the tazer within easy reach...don't make me use it! Tell Kayleigh that her kisses made my burn feel much better- it's so much less red today (Ok, silvadine probably helped it, but little girl kisses do so much more than modern medicine- you know that, right? )

Ok, chickies....I'll check back in after lunch- everyone have a happy hump day- only 2 more days until the weekend!

We do have the best chickies in this group!

Jennifer: You should get that rectal growth looked at by a professional.

I spent $153.00 on groceries last night at Super Walmart (well, charged it) and made sure I got lots of good and healthy food. I have a job interview for a job I don't want tomorrow, so today I will spend most of my time cleaning house (in case company drops in) washing clothes (for the interview) and writing my KSA (for the job I DO want). I need to get back into the swing of regular exercise. How many days in a row does it take to make it a habit? I think I'd need to double that. Happy Wednesday everyone.

LOL, Mary- I think I'm going to start referring to her as "The 'Rhoid"

LMAO....

This TOM is really tempting me to be bad. I had a couple Reese's miniatures this am, but at least they were minis. I made it through Easter, but not this, GEEZ!!

I am cleaning house hard today, too. Just cuz it needs it. Should be like a workout!! I have SEVERAL LOADS of laundry that I want caught up, so I have some stair climbing to do. Woo hoo!

Yesterday I had Chicken and a small potato for lunch, and veggie soup for dinner.

Today I am having Taco Junk for lunch, it's a WW deal that I love, diet or not!! For dinner, I need to turn some of that into a taco salad and get more veggies in. Got some apples for snack, I just need to learn to eat them without salt.

I am not thinking this week will be as good as last, I'll be lucky to lose at all. Once TOM goes to bug someone else, I'll be much better. TOM is so mean to me these days! Mother nature? I think not, TOM has to be a man!!!

Congrats to the new losers, it's great that everyone is being so successful! I don't think I'd have it in me to continue today if it weren't for you gals! ALL OF YOU!!

I'll check in again in a bit!

Well good morning!! I had a big post typed up last night, but the hubby got home in the middle of it, and it was still here this morning!!

Dinner last night ended up being some pasta w/ meat sauce. I was too tired to do my extra 20-min stepping, and I felt too crappy to do a 1.5 mile walk again. My stomach is a bit unsettled this morning. Not sure why? *shrug* Eh well.

We went to Target last night and got me a set of 5-lb hand weights. Since I was only on 2-lb, and these are really hard in comparison, they ought to keep me busy for a few weeks! I'm gonna do another 25-min fast-speed stepper today w/ 5 minutes of weights, because they are so much heavier than before. I'll be worn out after 10 seconds!!

Food today is unsure. My tummy is grumbling about something, and I don't know what to feed it, yet. Something bland, that's for sure.

B - 1 nutrigrain bar, probably 1/2 cup cottage cheese & some fruit or something.
L - Veggie Burger (no bun) w/ slice of cheese & some veggies on the side
D - Broiled chicken breast with a side of steamed rice and veggies. (Kinda Chinese?)

Snacks today - peanuts, an apple, and chips & salsa. (I allow myself 3 total, but I'll probably only do 1)

Workout today:
25 min stepper w/ 5 min of weights (new 5lb)
600 situps (500 didn't phase me, so 600, here I come!)
Gonna try to do 25 squats and 25 lunges (for my butt)

Okay... other than that, after dinner last night, I had the hardcore munchies. I couldn't find anything I wanted, though, so I settled for a nice big apple. It totally worked. I was proud of msyelf for seeking fruit instead of the chocolate on the table that my hubby was munching on.

I've done something crazy. I'm making a webpage (hidden) on my website, devoted to bi-weekly photos of me in the bathing suit that SHOULD be fitting me just fine. Technically, it fits me. But it looks pretty bad, still, as I have a bit of a tummy and legs way too big for it. I know this seems like something to sabotage my mental status, but it's not. When I took the pix yesterday, it occured to me that this wans't the mirror image. This was from a camera, and this is ACTUALLY what I look like. I stared at the pix for awhile, and I smiled. It's really just a matter of losing a few lbs now, and toning what I have!! Not a big deal at all!!

Other than that, since it IS almost bathing suit season... I have a goal for myself to hit by August 1 (When it gets -really- hot here). I want to be able to wear a 2-piece (with excessive coverage ) by August 1. I would be extremely happy if I could end up in something like that by August 1, and I know it's definitely possible for me. Probable, even, if I'm going to be that positive about it.

I'm about to go work out... I woke up a half hour ago, and haven't even had my coffee yet!! I'm totally over-energized. Weird. Time for me to go freak out on the stair stepper and burn those calories away!

Jennifer - Lost my measuring string. Will measure later today.
Julie - WTG!!! You are so awesome, hon! Good attitude... let's not tazer you today, huh?
Mary - They say it takes 1 month to develop a good habit, and 6 months to make it permanent.
Cindi - I thought I was the only one who ate apples with salt! Crazy!! You're doing a good job, my dear. Keep it positive, and you'll do fine!

Hi!!! I am having a pretty good day - sooo tired!!! Food is right on points so far. I am not terribly hungry - I guess just about average. I must get some salad stuff!! I miss my taco salads!! Gotta get groceries tonight.

Last night I rode for 40 min. on the bike. It is getting easier. I had started out a few weeks ago at 20 min. I didn't do the toning last night, though. Tonight is definitely a toning night!!!

I will check back in later so that I can write all that I want to write!