Well I made it through today good, had a good workout although had to end it a bit early because of cramps, had a swim, hot tub and sauna after and I need to do that more often, nice way to relax.

I am not going out on New Years, I usually don't because I find it a hassle to get a cab, so expensive, etc so this year it's me and some movies. I want to try hard to stay on the wagon so I'm staying away from things that make me fall off like a lump of lardo. I can't avoid things forever but I want to try and change some habits before intregrating myself back into humanity

I've been losing and gaining the same ten pounds since April...pathetic. But won't dwell on the past. I got my Olympic uniform a size too small so umm I have no choice, wish I could get motivated for the good things like my health! Silly what actually motivates me. But whatever it takes I suppose.

Well I am going to bed, long day at work tomorrow and a good am workout. Hope you all have a good day tomorrow, I will have a chance to check in at lunch so hopefully we've had a few more posters

Heard back from the doctor and I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back (which I knew) but I also have a slightly bulged disc in my lower back as well. They are sending me to a back specialist to see what can be done: physical therapy or some kind of epidural shot in my back? Not sure what that is, or how it could help, I just know that I am in pain 24/7, but I'm not stopping my workouts! I have the trainer tomorrow night, so we'll just go easy on my back. He's really good at working around my issues.

Staccie: I say whatever motivation gets you to lose weight is worth it! Getting a size smaller, is actually something that will push you, and of course we'll be here to help you as well! Just let us know what you need and we'll be there for you.

dance: No plans for NYE for me either. I still have to work a full day at work and I just don't want to spend the money. The hubby and I are trying to save so we can buy a bigger house and hopefully have another baby in a year or two. I'm really going to try and get to my goal weight before I get pregnant...I had a healthy pregnancy before, but it would be nice to know that I can lose the "baby weight." So, I guess I'll just go to the gym on NYE...at least it won't be busy!

Hope everyone is doing ok...Burgundy have you made it to Onederland?

I hate this monthly week of h*ll! I feel bloated and icky and I've gained 2-3lbs of just water blah... Can't wait for the week to be over!!! I think I need to just step away from the scale til this time next week!

Hope everybody is getting back in the swing of things after Christmas. I'm doing pretty good, dealing with some sweet cravings and now the office is overloaded with leftovers from the holidays... so many cookies, chocolates, etc...

MaddiesMom: So sorry about the disc issues, hopefully the specialist will be able to fix things and give you some major relief quickly! Great attitude about still working out; you're awesome!

Staccie: I have a dress that is two sizes too small that I'm determined to fit in for Valentine's Day... So I understand about the clothes motivator! I think it is an excellent motivator!

rocky - can't wait to see wait you look like in your dress when you get there! We're rooting for you

staccie - sounds like a great new year's plan - we may do the same - staying in with some movies sounds nice and relaxing. If I can add in an evening walk, it will even help me stay on plan. As far as the weight loss thing, rockinrobin and other experts around here all talk about the importance of making the commitment to yourself and sticking to it. With your incredible strength and stamina, I know you can do this - you just have to decide to and totally stick with that decision! I've done the up and down things so many kajillions of times I've lost track. Can we help each other stick to it this time?

maddiesmom - so sorry to hear about your back - that sounds really tough! Let us know what we can do to help remotely to support you.

Ok, I'm trying to get back in the groove as I ended up having the crazy munchies yesterday ALL DAY! Aaargh. On plan today and I've put away all my xmas stuff so I'm feeling good about that. Hope you all are doing well!!

Stacie- wow, good for you on making it to the gym! I started using the sauna at my gym and it is so darn relaxing, I just need to remember to bring water with me. I went in on Monday with no water and left light headed, ugh. Your smart to stay in on NYE, I was actually thinking the same thing, I keep bopping back and forth but for the wallet and bellys sake, I think its the way to go.

Dance- your just like me...I did the same thing with my Christmas decorations, I couldnt wait to get them put away. Whats on your radar for exercise? Did you meet with AJ?

Still on track with food and exercise. Once again, I slept in because of a bad night of sleep...ugh, now Im starting to think I have insomnia...god I hope not, I thought for sure I would be dead to the world last night, instead I crashed about 2 am. I did make it to the gym though and brought my clothes once again for tonight. The only thing is, when I go in the evenings I have a complex because its so crowded and I dont like using the weight machines, whereas in the AM, its just a few of us and I feel like I know what Im doing, lol. Oh well. Hope everyone is having a skinny day!

lindy - haven't meet with AJ yet - she's coming over in a few hours and we'll walk to a nearby salad place for lunch. I'll try to get in a workout this afternoon to stick with this whole getting back on track thing I totally understand what you mean about feeling kind of uncomfortable when the gym is crowded - it's not the same somehow.

Hi chicks!

Well I had a dentist appointment this morning, a 1.5 hour work out and now heading to work. I am going to Yoga tonight only because I think it really calms me as opposed to getting a workout. I need that right now! I had a good breakfast, some eggs, turkey bacon and tomatoes. On day three with no refined carbs, and I think I'm doing ok so far. I accidently put in a little homemade cookie without even realizing...and I spit it out. Extreme maybe but that made me think how many times do I eat just because it's habit and/or it's there. The damn cookie was on the counter from my roommate. I can't wait to live on my own again...counting the days. It was just so easy when I moved here temporarily to live with someone in this huge awesome apartment in the center of everything (needless to say that wore off in about two months). She's great, it's just not having my space - I like to sit around in my underwear sometimes you know! When I get back, I rented a place and will buy something within a year - but I want it to be really awesome. I don't think I want a house because I just don't feel safe being on my own. But who knows I might find a guy that has a house too - that would be ideal (I'm half kidding).

So I've been thinking - and sorry for the TMI, but I hate my boobs and they are going to be even worse when I'm at my ideal weight. So I'm starting to save up to fix them. Sometimes I think that is vain, but I love my boobs, just not how south they seem to be heading (going south is good for the winter but not for my boobs!). Have any of you thought about doing something like this? They look awesome in a bra but not so awesome after! I kind of feel like a fraud showing off these huge boobies and then it's like, hey there are my golf balls in your sock (well I am exagerrating but I am sure it's not far down the road). I am a 38DD by the way!

Sorry I'm blabbering.

Lindy - sorry to hear you are not sleeping...I go through that sometimes and I usually get something to help me get back on track and then go off it right away, have you thought about any options? And I can so relate to the morning vs night - I don't like working out at night because I feel kind of self conscious and the weights are not as available either. Hopefully it's something that we can start to think about less in the future!! Lindy how close do you live to Miami - it looks so beautiful there!

Dance - lucky you get to meet AJ!! I'm jealous - I really want to meet all of you too someday!!! And I appreciate the advice and help. I need it. And I need to ask for it. I'm so bad at asking anyone for anything and trying to get through everything alone. I just don't want to be like this anymore.

Vicky - sorry to hear about your back but hopefully they can ease the pain and do something about it? Good to keep going on your workouts, it will strengthen your body! And your trainer will know what exercises could activate or hurt your back so that's awesome you have him!

Rockymtn - yeah for the dress - since the Olympics and Valentines Day are around the same time let's race to that smaller piece of clothing!!! We are pretty close in weight too

I'm not as grouchy today either so I guess the bad sugar and carbs are almost gone. Tom is hanging around the stupid a$$! I am not looking forward to having his visit at the end of January and February when I am really busy. I am going to start popping advil three days before and keep going so I don't have to deal with it. Is advil even ok, does anyone else use something in particular? I don't want to go on bc right now.

Well this was a long one! I better get ready and get to work. Be back later!

Stacie- OMG---yes, yes, yes...I couldnt agree more about my "girls"! I have already told myself that if I made it to 130 I would look into surgery, I havent mentioned this before because yes, it does seem a bit dense but when I look at mine I just feel blah!!! ESPECIALLY now that I lost the weight. They were fuller before, now Im down 2 cup sizes. I used to be a 38DD, now Im a 36C and they just keep on shrinking with my loss (which I knew was going to happen). Ok, sorry for my self obsessed boob post, lol. Now, Miami...nope, not close, havent even been there, lol...I know, crazy. Maybe once the Olympics is over, you and AJ can come and visit me and we can go down there for the weekend? Thoughts? I can stay at the Loews Hotel down there for $50.00 a night, its right on the beach! Its about 4 hours (maybe more) from Orlando.

Just got a text from AJ, heard her and Dance met for luncy...so excited to hear the details.

So, AJ is absolutely gorgeous in person! Not that this is a surprise having seen her pictures online It was so fun to meet up in person! And I'm selfishly hoping she'll spend the summer in Denver and be my walking buddy

staccie - I hear boob lifts can have amazing results but I don't know anyone who has had one. And love your idea of finding a guy who already has a house Can't wait to hear your dating stories when you're back in Edmunton.

lindy - funny, I'm shrinking too but couldn't be happier about it - I didn't feel like myself at at a 36c - it wasn't the good kind of cleavage - just the chubby kind. I'm much much happier to be back at 34b mostly.

Gotta get some more work done and then will try to sneak in some exercise...

Well I'm eating a turkey burger with red peppers, onions and garlic (no bun) with avocado and laughing cow cheese on top with tomatoes - sounds good heh? It is good although I am craving a cracker or some type of bread and it's frigin everywhere here!!! Oh well, I can do it! Everyone is bringing in their leftovers so they don't eat them - a$$holes!

Dance - so awesome you met AJ and Lindy yes I would love to meet - I think it would be so awesome. And I'm going to have more time to travel soon!

I have three hours until Yoga...I managed to get a lot of work done today but then even more to go than I thought. Oh well!

Have a good night ladies!!

staccie - your dinner sounds yummy! good for you for going to yoga - you are my exercise hero. No exercise for me today - just running up and down the stairs doing laundry and stuff like that.

Dance- You beautiful lady you! It was so wonderful to have been with you today. I wish I could have spent a day with you!

Dance has me wanting to get back in here. We head home in just one more day. When I get home its on =)

Also... I went back to my friend and got my hair darkened. Wasn't dark enough so I went today and got it redone. Wooohoooo really dark hair.

Good Morning Everybody!

I totally know what you mean about to the boob issue... I barely fit in a DD cup and I know as I lose weight I'll lose weight there too and they're already not perky, so what happens when they are smaller but still have all that skin... not pretty... the fiance thinks they are great, but would he really tell me if they weren't great? I don't think so. I'm planning on a boob lift and skin removal after I maintain at my goal weight for awhile. The money is worth it to not be so self conscious.

Okay I am officially appalled at myself!
I just plugged in the food I ate into my GoWear Fit Software (calorie counting)... I'm trying to be at about 1400 calories a day, and staying under 1600 has been super easy... but yesterday was a real bad day for me (I hate TOM) and I ate 2570 calories!!! That is so disgusting!!! That is only 100 calories less than what I burned yesterday! If I control myself 3 weeks of the month, this 1 evil week shouldn't be any different!
Errrr, I'm p*ssed off at myself.... but today is a new day, I know I have to move on and get passed it, but errrr!

Hmm... Somehow I lost my last post - bummer.

Rocky - oops! what are you going to do to make sure you stay on plan today?

aj - can't wait to see the new dark hair - post a pic when you get back to Tempe!

I'm loving my xmas present - a mini-fridge for my work office. I'm going to stock it at lunch today. I think it will help me stay on plan and make sure I get in a bit more calcium having skim milk available for coffee and tea. I may try to walk stairs a bit after lunch to get in some exercise but otherwise don't have any planned today. What's everyone else doing for exercise today?

I have some friends coming over for NYE dinner - I'm thinking salmon and sauteed spinach but haven't decided what else to have with it. Anyone have a more exciting sounding menu to suggest?

Hope you all are doing great!