Hi Everyone!!
I am very new to this site (today) I am in the process of trying to lose weight and am finding it very difficult. I started with LA Weight loss Mach 23, 2010 and fell off of the wagon about a week ago. I am back on and hoping with the support from this group, I will reach my goal!! Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself

Welcome, Nichole - glad you joined us. What is your diet and exercise plan these days?

Ok, so I was not a good planner today. Waiting until lunch to run was not a wise move - 85 degrees! I still have a heat headache from it hours later. I guess it takes me a while to ramp up to summer heat tolerance *sigh* but it's better than snow and ice for sure.

Hi Nichole! I'm new too.

Dancer: Sorry about the heat headache, one of the reasons I walk the dogs first thing is it's impossible to walk outside past mid morning right now. It's just too hot and once I over heat I get cranky and miserable. Not to mention my babies suffer too. Are you able to lie down in a nice cool room? That helps me a lot, especially with the ceiling fans.

Maddiesmom: this summer semester I will be taking Beginning Algebra Math which is a pre-college course, then in fall I will start my associates in science degree and after that, my bachelors degree in computer science.

I have had a great dinner this evening. I picked up some grass fed tenderloin and grilled it then steamed some brussel sprouts. I treated myself to one small glass of red wine, then 6 squares of Green & Black's Mayan chocolate which was only 80 calories for the entire 6 squares (!) which hit that sweet tooth square in the face. So good. DH is out of town this week but comes home Saturday (yay!) and the tenderloins were on sale so I picked up a couple for the weekend. So tasty, we're going to grill them Sunday night.

Have a good night all .

Nichole: Welcome! We have a very supportive group here who will help you with whatever questions you may have. Other than LA Weight Loss, how are you work outs? Basically, I'm a calorie counter and then I also watch what I eat. I really tri to watch how much "good stuff" is going into my body. As for workouts, I have a great personal trainer (if you read my back posts, his name is Jeff and he's totally awesome). Let us know if you have any questions about our plans!

Tearose: Good luck at school! I have a bachelors in social work and have no desire to return to school. I was contemplating nursing, but I plan on having another baby in the next 2 years and plan to stay home at that point...my dream job is to be a mommy and woman of leisure (not sure if I can be both at the same time!)

Dance: Sorry about your heat headache! Those are the worst. Hope you are able to relax and relieve the pain a bit. Adding to the hubby post earlier, I got home from work and asked him what items he wanted to get accomplished (because that was the reason I couldn't go to class) and he said he had to run to Home Depot...that was his only plan. I asked him why he couldn't do that after I got back, but he got snotty and told me to just go to the class. Rather than start another fight, I stayed home and he's barely talked to me. I told him we really need to work on this because our relationship now is not going well. We've never been like this in 13 years, so I don't know if it's jealousy that I'm spending time with jeff, or if it's that he feels neglected. He won't talk about it. Suggestions??

Today was a good food day. Wasn't hungry for breakfast (had a handful of almonds and a mini protein bar), lunch was a meeting where I presented, but I only ate half the chicken then some spinach and mashed potatoes (but I think they were full of salt...either that, or I'm not used to that much salt). I also had a small side salad. They brought out all these awesome looking desserts and all I had was a spoonful of creme brule. Then there was a retirement party for someone in the office and they had cakes and pies and I didn't have anything!! Dinner was a small chicken breast with asparagus and mushrooms. All in all, not a bad day.

Well, I'm going to do one of Jeff's workouts tonight...he does a new work of the day (WOD) on his personal training facebook page. If anyone is interested, let me know and I'll send you the name.

Have a great night!

Good Morning all,

Maddiesmom: way to go on that willpower with the office food! Office parties were always bad for me and only 1 spoonful of creme brulee is awesome!

I am not a happy camper this morning. Went to bed nice and early at 9.30, was awake at 11.30 then again at 1.30 to the sound of the cat pushing his food bowl around the laundry room (!) and this time couldn't get back to sleep. I ended up getting up and staying up until 3.30 during which time I did inventory on our medical cabinet . Went back to bed where I woke up at 6.30 and it was time to let our youngest doggie out to pee.

So here I am, tired, grumpy, headache and with no real desire to exercise. I think I'm going to compromise and switch today's rest day with Sunday, which was going to be my planned rest day.

tearose - too funny about your cat! I'm dog-sitting for a friend for a few weeks and have a cat as well. It's amazing the weird things they do in the middle of the night to mess with your sleep! Good thought on swapping the rest day.

I went to bed early too as I learned my heat lesson yesterday and went for a run first thing this morning. It's supposed to hit the mid-90s here today - craziness. Just a week ago, it wasn't warm enough to have the windows open...

maddiesmom - sorry about the frustrating evening. I don't know if you're in to reading about relationship stuff at all but I loved John Gottman's books on dealing with conflicts in a marriage or relationship. They really helped get a better approach going to resolving conflicts and not having the same argument over and over and getting nowhere. I got mine through amazon and have lent them out to a bunch of friends but your library system should have a copy or two. Just a thought... Well done on the tiny taste of dessert. I'm not great at that. Sometimes I'm okay with it but usually I'm better off not even having a bite as that starts me wanting it.

So, finally after a few days of being really good, the scale is moving again. I'm still above ticker but not for long!

You girls mean so much to me - I absolutely know that I would have given up and slipped back into old bad habits if it weren't for all of you. Instead I'm within 20lbs of my goal and am happily wearing a summer skirt to the office for the first time in years and years.

What's everyone up to for the holiday weekend? We're going to a flamenco guitar concert tonight which should be fun and I'm going to zumba and shopping with my mom on Saturday. Sunday I'm hoping to convince my bf to do a long roller blade and Monday my sis and I head to Boulder for a mini-girls' trip. We're spending the night there and doing a big hike on Tuesday. I'm going to try to stick to POP the whole time.

Burgundy - your trip is coming up so soon! are you getting excited?

Hi Ladies,

Dance - Hello! I wrote earlier and asked about you. Sorry about the heat headache, I get those too. I have attributed it getting over heated and dehydrated when working out outside. Hope your doing better. How is your new home? Is the gardening done and your completely settled in?

Maddiesmoms - Dance is so right it is about your journey and you loving you for who you are! I had a really hard time with this 4 years ago when I lost a lot of weight, and what really helped me was some books I read while on losing and journaling all of my thoughts, feelings, struggles and more. I wrote like crazy, but it was very therapuetic for me and really helped me see much of my insecurities, low self esteem and self worth. As far as your hubby, I feel it is probably insecurities on his part and seeing how much stronger you are, more independent and sexy ;-) I could be he is having a difficult time dealing with it, and there could be a 'touch' of jealousy. Realize this is HIS problem that he needs to open up and discuss with you. This is not YOU, your awesome and great and beautiful. I think a date night and some indepth conversation is a good idea. Some real one on one away from the house. HEY AND HOW THE HECK DID YOU PASS ME UP AND NOW YOUR ON BURGUND'S HEELS!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I was going to type more, have to go, Alina is here. Bye till later today!

Dance: If you could send me the title of the book you mentioned, that would be great. I'm feeling better about things today, so I'm hoping that this weekend with us spending a lot of time getting the house ready for our friends, we'll have time to get through some of our issues. I know we need to open up and talk or we're going to head down the "divorce road" which I really don't want to do. I think because we never had issues in the past, we never really argued, so now we don't know how to argue with one another (does that make sense?!?) Thanks for the kind words though, I really appreciate it. And trust me, I wouldn't be here without you either!!!

Sandy: You are just the sweetest person in the whole wide world! You made me smile, which I definitely needed. You are right though - this is his issue. I'm doing this for myself to make myself feel better about me. I may try diarying and see where that gets me - I know I need to get these feelings out and I don't want to always vent to you guys - you might kick me out! I didn't realize that I had passed you, but then again, you're injured, and I'm finally well again. I tell you, if you were in Chicago, I would take you to Jeff to get that foot ARP'ed and you'd be good to go! LOL Enjoy your time with Alina, I know how much you miss her.

Well ladies, I reached 203 today!!!! I'm not changing my ticker yet, I feel that I need to maintain that 203 through the holiday weekend - it's a way for me to trick myself into not overindulging at the parties we have this weekend. I have to be good, I want Onederland so badly. Oh, and you know how I told you that I had that lunch out yesterday??? Well, that food didn't sit so well with me and I've been extremely sick today. I'm starting to feel better but I think it's because it's finally out of my body (sorry for the TMI). Does that happen to anyone else? You go out to eat and end up getting sick because you're not used to the extra salt, msg, etc. etc. in the food?

Ok, so I'm going to try my best to eat as well as possible (have a b-day party tomorrow); it's at my neighbor's house so I'm going to eat before I go over there. I gotta be good. Plus, I have to workout at least twice in the next three days - gotta reach my calories burned goal for the week.

Have a great day ladies!!

maddiemom - I think the one of his I liked the best was "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert" - but Why Marriages Succeed or Fail: And How You Can Make Yours Last was very good too. One of the big take aways for me was around how to let someone know when you don't like what they're doing. Saying 'you always leave things such a mess' characterizes the person while saying 'you forgot to put away your dirty clothes this morning' is apparently very different. And he has another idea about how important it is not to show what he calls 'contempt'. If someone sees that on your face, they basically give up on the relationship so it's important to be on the watch for. It's so easy to let the little things build up and turn into something bigger, you know? Good for you for wanting to work on things! I always figure that the couples who don't have any conflicts don't learn and move forward. And congrats on 203!!! You are just rocking this - way to go! And yeah - I've kind of noticed the reverse of what you're saying. I used to eat too much rich stuff or junk and had occasional tummy issues. Now I almost never ever do.

mygrits - I'm sorry - I blew right by your questions in your earlier post - you are sweet to ask about the house and the garden. Things are good - I'm gradually acquiring stuff for the walls and more furniture. Funny how the old stuff doesn't always fit quite right into the new space. And I'm gradually working on the backyard but haven't got to the fun flower-planting phase yet. Hopefully soon - I'm getting tired of moving dirt and rocks! How are things with your parents' yard? It sounds like you are doing tons of work there! I hope you have a blast with your daughter!

Doing good on the food front so far today. We're going to eat at a mexican place tonight and I've looked at the menu and think I'm going to go with grilled chicken. I love margaritas but they're such calorie-bombs that I'm going to go without. It's just too fun to see progress on the scale. And I still have a bunch of stuff in smaller 10s and 8s that I'm dying to fit into. It has seemed to work pretty well to get things on sale in the next size down when my current size fits well. Not sure if it works more than one size down but this way is keeping me motivated. Silliness but whatever works, right?

If you have time, I'd love to see recent pics of you guys. Seems like there are a lot of changes out there!

Sorry about earlier everyone. I had all this stuff in my head I was going to type and my cell rang with my daughter outside waiting to pick me up. She looked great and we had fun. It was so great to see her, and I am so happy for the place she is at in her life. She feels good about herself, her marriage, and 'for now' her career. She is always stays "true to herself." I tell her all the time, I wish I had been that strong at her age. There is no BS with Alina, she says exactly how she feels. LOL........

Dance........LOl........I know you didn't blow off my questions. I was teasing and laughing at myself thinking this was probably all answered weeks ago on here and I was MIA at that time......LOL. I am happy your settled in and I know buying new things is always fun with a new home. Sometimes the old stuff just has to go.... Congratulations on the summer skirt and your ticker moving happily along! I couldn't have done this without you sticking with it on here. You have been a constant when even I slacked up coming on here. Thank you for that Dance. Your a true friend. Can you believe it's been a year and 5 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I been here since January 2009!

Maddiesmom - I pray this weekend is really good for you and your husband. those books Dance mentioned are excellent references. I had some years back that my daughter and son have now. Sometimes men aren't good with change, they like their routines and things to stay the same, especially as they get older. Anyway, your changing, and that may be strange or difficult for him. Possibly he feels he isn't good enough and you are improving yourself for other reasons. Maybe that's way he says things about Jeff. Just remember, love you and this is him not understanding or possibly his insecurities. Talk thought it, and maybe look for some books on 'loving you.' I just got one Oprah highly recommended called Women, Food and God. It's really good. It's not about 'God' but about the great place one is at when all things are good...body, mind and spirit. Thanks for the kind words for me and oh yes, I so wish Jeff was here or I was there!! Wow, wow, wow 203! I am speachless! LOL.....

Burgund - Can't wait for you to be closer Miss Alabama....LOL. I love my bike Burgund and it can be fun, but it just isn't the same as heading out the door with my tennis shoes on and ear plugged with music.

Ok, well of course I didn't work out today with Alina here, but yesterday I thought I would die. I worked in my parents yard for 4 hours, went grocery shopping vacuumed the house upstairs and down, mopped the floors, walked the dog twice, and throughout sweated with the 90 degree heat we have here. I thought for sure I had reach my goal weight for this week, but NOOOOOOOO I was still a pound away. Totally sucks. So today I decided I have got to figure out why it is so hard to lose. I eat healthy all the time, and am now riding the bike and working with weights, but the scale isn't moving. I loaded Livestrong on my Droid (cell phone) and decided I need to see if it's the calories. I eat vegan all the time, and hardly any fats, little sugars, and hardly any junk...so there had to be something going on and could be even though I am eating healthy, I am still eating too much. I really didn't want to count calories again, because I was really trying to eat when I was 'truly hungry', however I suppose I will have to until I can see why I am not losing. I like the Livestrong on my phone, it's quick and easy.

Well this weekend is a lazy weekend for us. The only thing we may do is if Alina comes down Sunday, we may drive down to see my parents. Other than that, home bound and maybe some pool time.

Tearose-I live near Lake Huron. Its nice to be near the water, gives me something to do with the boys I keep during the summer. What kind of dogs do you have? The tenderloin sounds tasty.

Dance-I'm still trying to make it to 189 by the time we leave. I was 191.2 this morning. Plateaus stink, lol. Yay for the scale moving. Mine moved a little this morning too. I have been bouncing in between 190 and 192. Stay away from those margaritas.

Vicky-theres an arts and crafts festival going on this weekend, might take the boys to that. There aunt is gonna have a table set up so they can see her. You are rocking the weightloss. You're right on my tail. I gotta speed up. Good job resisting all the food at the office. We went out to eat the other night and the same thing happened to me. I would rather eat at home cos I know whats in my food that way.

Nicole-A week isnt bad, you can get back to LA weightloss.

Sandy-hope you are having a good time with Alina. I might have to go back to calorie counting too. I havent really been doing it and am not seeing the scale move much at all. I need to workout more, this laziness needs to go away.

I dont have big plans for the weekend. Will have the boys Sat and Sun from 4am-7pm. Glad they sleep til about 8(I hope). Then monday might have a bbq/birthday party to go to. I think I will go back to calorie counting to get the scale moving again. I could have been to 186 by now just not putting in the effort to get there. Someone give me a kick in the butt!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to go visit Vicky and go to Jeffs classes.

Im gonna get over to the boys house before it gets late. The have a finished basement so I sleep down there, its so nice and cool. I dont know how they all sleep upstairs. I'll try to check in this weekend, but if not have a fun, safe weekend everyone.

Well, I have decided I like LiveStrong! It is so convenient to input it on my phone, which also links to my computer. I pulled up the website last night and really like all the data is gives me, and it seems to have every food easily accessed in there. I found out my problem - sodium. My calories are good and actually 180 below what I needed, but the sodium was high. There lies the problem. It's funny because it spiked from my wraps, hummus and a few other things. So, I am adjusting today and going to keep in low. I will still eat these things, just not all in the same day! lol....

Burgund you might want to use LiveStrong, really convenient, quick and easy. I always wrote my down in tablet, but really like doing it this way now. It free online and on my phone for a permanent download was $2.99. Very worth it. Anyway, yours may be sodium too. I loved Michigan, it was one of my favorite places my Dad was stationed. We lived on base, but near Lake Michigan. Beautiful area years ago. NOW BURGUND, you need to stay focused and reach that goal of 189!!!!! You have been my persistant hero, along with Dance and Vicky. Come on, if you don't Vicky will kick your butt and pass you up!!!!! DON'T SABOTAGE YOUR EFFORTS! LOVE YOURSELF ;-)

Dance - Woo Hoo Marjaritas........yummmmmmmmy. I missed writing that yesterday. I LOVE Marjaritas and would never pass one up! LOL.......sorry, but the **** with calories when it comes to a Marjaritas! I haven't had one in over a year, but boy did I put my time in years back when I bartended. To this day that is all I will order if I do drink. Now I EXPECT you to be really good at the BBQ! Maybe workout before you go - extra incentive.

Vicky - How are you? Hope the morning has been all smiles ;-)

Wow, I saw Bruce this morning (son) - only for a few minutes but better than nothing. I do miss him living here, but know they needed their own place. I assume everything is going good over there, but he wouldn't say if it wasn't. She can be quite controlling, which is why he hasn't ever left for the military. Well, time will tell........

Ok, today I am working on the Internet and in 20 minute going for the dreaded bike ride. I like it, but it is soooooo damn hot here, it can actually be miserable to do. I know it sounds wierd, but I don't mind sweating when jogging, but for some reason riding the bike and sweating sucks....lol Anway, maybe later today a swim in the pool with Bubba will be in order ;-)

good morning girls!

mygrits - holy cow - you look GORGEOUS in your new avatar! So glad you had fun with your daughter. I'm a major dailyplate/livestrong addict and think it's the best tool ever. Really good idea on tracking your calories. So this may sound kind of weird but some people seem to slow down their weight loss a lot if they don't have some healthy fats (olive oil, avocados, nuts). You might want to experiment (within your calorie range) with adding a few of those in. It seems to help me and it was a tip I got from others on 3fc. You have made such great changes to your diet - I'm so very impressed. I can't imagine life without cheese so I really admire your discipline. You will be zooming into onederland soon - I just know it!

burgundy - woohoo for the moving scale! I think you're totally on track for 189 for your trip! Do you have fun new skinny clothes to wear in AL?

I'm pretty happy this morning since the scale moved again - that's 2lbs for this week so I'm definitely back on track. I did really well last night at the mexican place and had a shot glass of tequila with lime wedges instead of a margarita. I'm skipping zumba this morning to be able to hang out with my bf but I'm going to make up for it with hours of yard work (much needed around here! Sandy - if you get tired of working on your parent's yard, I could keep you more than busy over here!). We're going to grill tonight but it will be diet-friendly fresh veggies and shrimp probably.

Hope you all are enjoying the holiday weekend!

Hey Dance, thank for the kind words. You always look amazing so I'm trying to catch up to you! I didn't clarify my foods very good, maybe because I was ranting.......LOL. I do eat avocado's, usually 1/2 of one every 2 to 3 days in a salad. They are really good for balancing hormones (which is why I do). I also eat Almonds every day or atleast every other day and yes, I do endulge in cheese on ocassion. It is the only dairy I eat and it is always Organic. I didn't have a problem giving up meats, poultry and milks 5 months ago, but hey.......cheese......come on, that is my addiction....LOL.

Dance I am addicted to Live Strong already. My gosh it is really helping me today. I truly think it was the sodium and I am doing fine today with everything - even kicked butt on my bike ride! I burned 762 calories! Wow, CONGRATULATIONS on the 2lbs!! Woo Hoo! I know you feel great and hey, yard work may burn off another one..... It literally kills me. Enjoy your grilling and maybe another shot of Tequila! ;-)

Hello to everyone else!

Mygrits - I should have known you would have been all over the healthy fats thing with all the nutrition research you've been doing. You may be a bit like me in that without portion control with help from livestrong, I'm perfectly capable of eating too many super healthy calories. Better than junk, definitely, but not always conducive to weight loss Great job on the bike ride - that is an amazing amount of exercise!

Doing really well on food so may walk to a local bar with my bf tonight before dinner and have a glass of wine. Keep up the good work, all!