Hi everyone!
Silence-that is exactly what I do-I make sure to space my calories out throughout the day-it really helps you to avoid piggin out, and eating continously throughout the day in smaller amounts is much better for burning calories and a healthy metabolism than saving them all for dinner! Great job on the losses! Keep at 1800 calories as long as you are losing!
Kina-if you are doing a video you may want to use the 2 pound weights since it goes fast and you do not have time to change weights, but if you are using a book or magazine workout layout, use the 2 pounders for triceps and shoulders and smaller muscles, but if you can use 3-5 for larger groups like biceps the GO FOR IT!
The seminar and show was great! I have 2 digital photos-but they do not show a lot of the costume detail, I am waiting on prints for that-but if anyone wants to see them email me at [email protected] with your email. I sent them to Nancy and Holly already!
Aphil

Hello everyone! I'm back into action after a small setback of pneumonia. I honestly did not know that it was possible to feel that bad!! I've had it before, but I guess the oler you get, the harder it is to get over it. I need a little bit of time to catch up on all the posts but I plan on hitting the gym again tommorrow. We'll see....I'm still kinda weak but I'm going to try to work through it. At least I'm not coughing up any lungs..yet. Glad to see everyone is doing so well! I'll check in later!

I have been gone for awhile and have been catching up with the latest posts-I hope everyone had a great and safe weekend. We actually got away and done some camping. Now back to work and the stress begins, I have been offered a great job in Madison, Wisconsin (based out of Milwaukee) I do alot of traveling in my current position and this job will be more local so I can spend more time with my family! It also pays $13,000 more per year and I am already vested in the government retirement, so I won't lose my benefits or vacation accurals. I will be working for Wisconsin Probation, Parole and Pardon Office.

I didn't get to weigh in last night due to the holiday, so I have to wait 2 weeks...this is killing me, I feel that I have lost and my clothes are fitting better. I will stick with it and wait....

I want to share a cake/dessert I made for a picnic. It was wonderful-the whole family ate it and it's low fat:

2 bags of frozen berries(no sugar added)-I used 1 raspberry, 1 mixed berries
1 white cake mix
12 oz. diet 7-up

Place frozen berries in the bottom of 9x13 pan, sprinkle dry cake mix on top of berries, pour the can of soda over the top. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. Serve with Cool whip free. Try it and let me know what you think.

Oh.. that dessert sounds so good!
I am adding the ingredients to my grocery list this week!



Please, someone come take these rice crispy treats out of my house!!!


Christine
175/173/130
minigoal: 169

Hey girls!! Just a quick post to let you know I am still alive down under! Just really busy with the new job and BFL.

I am going to a seminar next week on BFL so that should be cool, I will be into my 6th week and ready for an extra kick in the pants!! ha ha ha

I am keeping up with all of your posts, and will try to post more often. You are such an inspiring group and I love all the new tips that keep coming up in this group!!

Gotta run!!!

Have a great day everyone!!

Nola.

Good Morning!
Nola-I hope you have a good time at the upcoming BFL seminar. Everyoen thinks of insurance or time shares when they think of seminars-but if you go to one that is actually about an interest of yours, it can be a really great time and a great learning experience. I had a great time at the dance seminar/workshop over the weekend, and last year when I went to the costuming seminar with Trisha Biggar (designer of all the Star Wars costumes) it was AWESOME. She showed us primitive sketches that eventually evolved into the actual costumes, costume sketches that never made it into the movies, the history of some of the rare fabrics used, and brought some of the actual movie costumes there for us to look at-which was an experience all by itself.
My stepfather goes to bodybuilding seminars, and he loves them and learns a lot each time, as well as getting to sample all of the new protein bars/powders, and all the little "extras from the vendors."
Well, we are tentitavely looking for a second vehicle right now-I do not know if we are going to get used or new just yet, we are just sort of looking with my father (who sells GM vehicles-GMC, Pontiac, Olds, Buick) for the best car for the money. He just sold a car this week and the person traded in a 2002 red Aztek (which I LOVE) with low miles so we are waiting on the dealership to go through it and give it a price. If it is low, we may try to get it-if not we will keep looking. We actually have it pretty good in that sense, because since my father sells them he gets us the best deal, and when we buy new we get a GM discount since my stepfather, uncle, and grandfather work/retired from GM plants. We also get a discount on other brands since Jason's company makes auto glass for several brands of vehicles, but we tend to stay with GM to support not only Jason's company-but support all my other family member's jobs as well that way.
Today is my Pilates workout-and I really need to get to it-so you all have a great day, and let us all know how you are doing!
Aphil

Hello everyone!

Idealperson - big congrats on that job offer! That sounds great!

That cake/berries recipe sounds like something I would LOVE!

Aphil - thank you for that link! I did look, and boy, those costumes and ladies are beautiful, exotic, gorgeous!

Kanola - cool that you're going to a seminar, and going to kick your BFL up a notch! hat kind of weather is your hemisphere having now? Are you still able to ride? Thanks to my Joe Rock-ette gear, I have been riding whether it's nice, cold, or raining!

silence - CONGRATS on the 2# down!! Keep up that awesome work!

Jacklyn - oh my gosh, you had pneumonia? poor girl! Don't rush your recovery too quickly.

Kina, how are you doing? Hope your allergies aren't getting you down.

Snowey, I'm thinking of you! Hope to hear from you soon!

Hi to everyone else!

I am so enjoying the early daylight; I can exercise and get it done before 6:00 am, then sip my coffee and enjoy knowing that it is DONE for the day, yahoo!

Does anyone else do flower gardening? I love growing dahlias; just bought some BIG ones for only $6 at our local farmers' market. I buy them from the same gentleman each year; they produce lovely deep red blooms all summer, and into fall. I am also psyched to find that my morning glories re-seeded themselves, and are already 6" high and growing happily. I also always plant some "Sensation" Cosmos; they are so pretty when they get tall and flower.

I am back to my seasonal job at the private club, and loving it. It's so nice to be so appreciated by the people there, also. Although their appreciation comes in the form of "what delicious treat did you make for us today?" Again, at each staff meal there is temptation like you wouldn't believe, but also enough "good stuff" that I can have a wonderful lunch of mixed greens with no dressing; some kind of veg, and a nice piece of fish, chicken, lean pork, beef...and then, since I didn't have any starch, I might have a small cookie, and feel OH so satisfied!

I hope everyone is well and happy!

Your friend,
Holly

Hello everyone,

I am new to this board and did somesearching arround and I really like your thread. I just decided a couple of days ago that I cannot stand commercial diet plans when I am well aware that what I really need to do is eat less and exercise. So, I started counting calories and fat grams and writing everything down.

I am 5 foot 2, started out at 161, down to 159 and my goal weight is 136 (basically trying to get my BMI below 25). I walk and bike, but have not really made it into a routine yet. I guess my main concern is that I need to just stick with this whole lifestyle change.

I am 30 and just graduated from law school. I like with three very supportive cats and one very supportive musician (although he still eats french fries in my presence). My mini goal is to get down to 145 by the time I take the bar exam at the end on July (yes, I am a dork).

zadie-hey, we are all dorks! Welcome to the madhouse!

I have decided to have a rummage sale next Saturday...I need SO much to get rid of all this baby stuff from the kids, stuff around the house, and of course-all of the size 18/1X stuff I will NEVER WEAR AGAIN!!!!!
I am dancing today at home and doing abwork for today's exercise...Oh, before I forget, I found out my instructor is having a baby girl! I am thinking about buying one of those little diaper cover/baby panty things, and sewing beads and coins all over the backside of it as sort of a little "keepsake." What do you all think?
Well, I best be going-you all have an ON PLAN day!
Aphil

Hi girls,
Sorry I have been missing in action. But since I have been back home from vacation, I have been feeling like crap and still havent found a doctor that is accepting new patients. Sometimes I just dont understatnd the Canadian Health care system.
I have also been busy buying new furniture, the poor hubby is so relieved that we have finally picked something after the gruelling marathon furmiture shopping spree we went on this past weekend.
I have lost almost 5 pounds of the 6 I gained while on vacation and it has only been 2 weeks since I have been back But I have completely cut out anything that may irritate my stomach and cause me to have the pains that I have been having. I've cut out caffiene completely and I havent even drank any of my beloved caffiene free diet coke !!! And for those of you who know me , I love my diet coke!!

I downloaded some pics from my vacation , If anyone wants to take a look at them. I will probably add more later on. just go to the link below and you will see.

Have a great day every one!!
Nancy


www.picturetrail.com/Zandersgrandma

Hi everyone! I haven't been good lately, so I haven't wanted to post. But I wa brave enough to get on the scale and I weigh the same 140 pounds. I am a little fearful that I've lost muscle which is why it doesn't so any pounds gained yet. I've been kinda sporadic with my weight routine. But I'm dusting myself off and getting back with the program before that scale starts creeping up!

Aphil, speaking of rummage sales, one thing I am happy about is a pur of the moment garage sale I had a few weeks ago. With the money I earned, I've brought a lot of my Xmas gifts already. I just love to be ahead of the game.

Hey Zadie, I was skinny until law school! And I got even bigger while studying for the bar. I was under the impression "food for thought" meant I should eat a bag of potato chips per Bar review outline to help me think better. Don't go that route. Exercise will do so much more in helping the blood flow to your brain. Good luck with both the bar and the new way of living.


Missy

Hello,
Missy - yes I too weighed less when I showed up at law school. I actually gained the weight (about 20 lbs.) when I was working at the law school before I became a student, and once I became a student I gained another 10. I am hoping now that I can pretty much set my own hours that I can find time to eat in a reasonable manner (rather than nasty vending machine food, pizza and takeout). I think that generally speaking the life of a law student has a tendancy to be pretty unhealthy in every way.

Still on track with the calorie counting and keeping low on the fat grams. It has been almost a week since I started and I am hoping that after a couple of weeks it will become habit.

So...what do y'all think about BMI as a measure of fitness? I see it all over the place and yet it seems suspiciously similar to those height to weight charts that I despise so much. Any thought?

zadie

Good morning everyone,

well I am going to give counting calories a try. I just downloaded dietpower onto my computer to help me. I seem to go back and forth between wwpoints and counting calories. THough I never stick with anything for too long. I think it might help if I think of it as just making healthier choices. I already exericise so it really just comes down to the food.

well I have to go , I look forward to talking to you all

Bev

Okay...word of advice:
Don't ever let all of your family members know in advance that you are having a rummage. Family members are coming out of the woodwork for the kids clothes..."You know those cute Tommy bibs Raiden wore last year, what are you going to do with those?" "Hey, do you still have those cute little shoes that Jasmine wore to church?" And so on...
I am about to tell everyone that if they want anything, to be here next Saturday at 8!!!! Some of the attitude is that since a lot of these clothes were gifts and I didn't pay for them myself, I am not losing out on anything...well, I would like the extra cash to get some things paid down, or for things that need to be done, etc....sheesh. (I would hate to see it if I ever won the lottery!!!!)
Last night was a stress eating night for me...I hate to admit it, but it was-I am only human. We went to David's bridal last night to buy Jasmine's flower girl dress for my stepbrother's wedding in July...I have never seen this dress before, but just went in with the style number given to me by my soon to be sis in law...
IT WAS $130!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There was no way out of it either...there are two flower girls, and the other girl has already bought her matching dress....they have dresses there that run from $80 on up...of course it would be an expensive one.
It IS really cute though...it is not poufy and full skirted like most flower girl dresses...it actually looks like a mini brides dress. It is tank style, with no sleeves, and very streamlined-fitted through the chest and slowly easing down into an A-line skirt. It falls a little longer in the back-a little bit of a train. There is no lace or bows, just some intricate beading and pearling around the neckline and down the center back. She looks beautiful in it...but I WILL be putting an ad in the paper and selling it after the wedding-to try and get some $ back out of it, and to maybe save another bride some $ on her flower girl dress!
I guess the stress eating last night came from the money...we pay our car insurance, homeowners insurance, etc. monthly, but our camper and Harley insurance we pay yearly and it was this month, plus we replaced the alternator in our car last week, and then the dress....so it was like we had about $600 extra to pay for this month that we are not used to paying...so it got the better of me.
I am back on track though today, and things will be just fine. Everything is paid, we have just been skimping in a lot of other areas...cheap food at the grocery store, and not renting any movies, etc.
Well, better get going-I have a lot of rummage tagging left to do, and we are going to the campground later today to spend the night!
Aphil

Hello Everyone!!

Boy, have I missed reading the daily posts....one week is too long to be away from this site!!

Let's see...where did I leave off? We saw Jerry Seinfeld the night before leaving for our trip to Orlando. That was fun...but...we were told to go to the Tivoli Theater in Chattanooga and so I had the map for that. We arrive and NOTHING....I'm thinking, "what did I do wrong here?" Anyway, finally a couple of ladies walk up and they though it was at the Tivoli too but the show was moved to the Memorial Auditorium about a mile away. We didn't know how to get there so we followed them and arrived all in a hurry and nearly had to run to get inside on time!! Thank goodness they came along!! We enjoyed the show and the warm up comic was also great. This was something both my husband and I could enjoy as he is a big Seinfeld fan too.

Then next morning (early) we leave out for Orlando. My son and his girlfriend are happily sitting in the back seat and we are packed to the roof. It rained on us during part of the drive so that slowed us down but we got there around 5 p.m. I was so tired that they brought everything up to the rooms...I thought that was nice. I stayed O.P. for the first few days and then let a few "extras" creep in. I enjoyed myself though and wrote everything down...we did a ton of walking and I was only up 2 lbs. when we got back. I had weighed in at 156 the morning we left so I'm at 158 now and I'm back O.P. so hopefully it will be off soon. It is very interesting to me how quickly the weight can come back on when I change my eating habits.

I've caught back up on reading all of your posts...I'm so happy for all of you that are getting new jobs and staying O.P --- I hope that everyone that's not been feeling well will be doing much better soon.

Okay...now I'm officially 41....and I'm okay with that...I mean what is the alternative? I just want to be the healthiest and happiest I can be for my age. I have so much to be thankful for and now I have some experience behind me so I can focus on what really matters. Shoot, one of these days I'm going to be a fit and healthy grandma running around after my grandkids....just not right away!!