@ fashinjunkie, what is up with that?! i just started working out again too, last week, and im up 2.6 pounds. i had a couple beers on the weekend but seriously...a couple as in 2, no way im up that much. these fluctuations suck! it can't possibly be weight put on, tho. i'll go with the water weight explanation! :-) as long as we stay off plan, those extra pounds and then some more should come off in no time, next week maybe?
I've just started the c25k program, and am 8 days smoke free :-) have any of you ladies completed or tried the program before? i'm finding it really tough....im exhausted, my legs hurt, and i cant believe i have to do it all over again on thursday, lol maybe im just whining b/c im an ex-smoker. but seriously, does running ever become fun (is there a point you get to where you actually feel good while running?)

stargzr, that trip sounds amazingly fun. Definitely something to look forward to .

nurse, I've not done the c25k program, but I have started running in the last few months. I'm not going to lie, getting into it kind of sucks, but it feels great once you feel yourself being able to run faster, go further, etc. For some reason, I always curse my way through the first mile, but after that I'm fine. Maybe it's a matter of being warmed up (physically or mentally, I'm not sure). I can't really say that I love running, but I know it's good for me and I get that great runners high after . Also, congrats on being 8 days smoke-free!!! That is awesome!

Thanks to everyone for all the support you gave me trying to get that job!

stargzr and tuende, thank you both for the encouragement! I've never stuck with a plan long enough to actually run faster and further without so much effort, but i have this 5k in april that im doing so im very motivated to complete the c25k this time.
how long would you say did it take you, stargzr, till you didnt feel like you were working the hardest you possibly could during the c25k?
tuende, i think i know what you mean about the LOVING running bit, at least for now. it'll be interesting to see how my feelings towards running develop over the next 8 weeks, lol.
The one thing i love about running is what it does for your legs and abs! great way to drop weight too. my legs are my problem area, and when i am active they become more shapely and less drumstick-ish, lol.
Plus, I plan to join the forces next year so i have to run anyways, may as well start now! :-)
These teaching stories are so cool! teaching in kenya or in a remote inuit village, it's inspiring to read about ladies living their dreams, and if they're not dreams, at the very least leading out of the ordinary and interesting lives! :-) very cool indeed!

Congrats on 8 days smoke-free, Nurse! Do you feel like your cravings are subsiding?

fashinjunkie and Nurse, your talk of gaining a little in water weight after working out has actually made me feel optimistic about my cruddy loss last week! I did a lot of leg presses and weight lifting (only 5lbs in each hand, but still! ) on Friday, so maybe my body was retaining more water for my weigh-in Saturday morning. I was wondering because it seems like my pants fit a bit better this week, even though the scale said I'd only dropped 0.2lbs... hmmm!

I've heard a lot of talk here about C25K, and I really want to try it! I've always wanted to run in marathons. I thought I'd have to wait for this summer because there was no treadmill here. I was thrilled when I went to the gym tonight and saw that they got a new treadmill! The bad news? They can't plug it in because it's got this bizarro plug with one of the prongs at a 90 degree angle to the other one. I'm sure it will take them ages to finally get around to ordering an adapter for it.

Good luck to all those trying the C25K program! Keep us updated about how it goes!

So far so good today!

Lots of water, 4 cups of veggies, 3 cups of hot tea, etc. My calories are only at 1100 or so for the day, too, which means 100 calorie popcorn during lost and 3 hershey kisses + fat free pudding for a late night snack! That will leave me at 1340 today, which is right where I want to be - plus I feel like I'm spoiling myself! Sometimes it's nice to save calories for splurges :-)

BTW, amazing dinner - chicken breasts marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sundried tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and italian herbs. Mmmmmm! Paired with a cup and a half of green beans, it was delicious!

And even better - my boyfriend will be here in 4 days!! Long distance is awful And it's only been a month since I moved! Haha

Unfortunately I can't run outside here. There's snow and ice everywhere, and it's too cold to go out in anything but gigantic boots. It's so far north that it will be this kind of weather until late May, if not later. This would actually be a really handy excuse for laziness, but I don't want to be lazy right now!

stargzr, I'm really sorry you're going through such a tough time. Did this feeling come on when you reached your goal, or was it building before that? If it started when you reached your goal, maybe now that you have no goal to work towards, it's harder to feel positive about your journey?

The fact that despite your bad thoughts you're still staying OP means that you are dedicated to the better, healthier life you've built. If you stay OP, you will not be this weight forever. If you stay OP, you will lose weight and you will look slimmer and more fit. It may take longer than you want (it's supposed to be harder to lose weight the closer you get to a healthy weight), but it will happen!

You've made it so far stargzr, and you reached your goal! There are hundreds of people on this site and tens of thousands in the world who have never reached a weight loss goal, despite numerous attempts. You've done something amazing that few people have done!

I don't know if this helps at all, but I admire you for making it to your goal, and for continuing with your healthy plan even though you feel defeated. I can't even count the number of times I've gotten myself into a funk and just quit, then gained back every ounce, and sometimes more, of the weight I lost. You're showing remarkable strength and integrity!

Edit: Nicole, your supper is making me drool!

~in ahurry~but Wanted to say HELLO TO EVERYONE~SO HELLO!!!

Just got a tooth pulled today~Wasn't hurting but was a bad tooth~I am getting some partial in near future and it had to be removed. I amm getting tons of filling done too within next few weeks...Hoping to have a great smile when I reach my goal.

Anyways~in a biut of pain now...Always seems to hurt worse for me when I get a tooth pulled that aint hurting!~UGHHH Goodnight everyone!

hello girls! Today i weighed in at 169.0 , so i'd like to join you on the run towards the 150s!!

Welcome to the 160s, jazzang! I hope your stay here is short!

Lori, I hope the pain subsides and you get the beautiful smile you dream of!

WannabeNurse, it does suck! This morning I am up another lb. It almost makes me not want to work out, but I'm just going to stick with it. And congrats on being 8 days smoke-free that's so awesome!!
As for C25k, I havent tried it yet but I am looking into it thinking about doing it next month when the weather is nicer.

Thanks stargazr I hope so! And I'm really sorry you're getting down but just keep doing what your doing. They say the last few lbs are the hardest but you can do this!

kirjava, I'm sure it's water weight for you too, or maybe your actually building muscle which they say weighs more than fat? Either way you're doing awesome!

Valentine, your day sounds pretty great and that chicken sounds absolutely delish!

Lori, I'm sorry to hear your in pain but like you said, you're gonna have a beautiful smile when you get to goal!!

Welcome to the thread Jazzang!

So I am up to 164.4. Wth?? I did go over my calories yesterday but only 200 or so but my workout was more intense last night and my muscles are really sore this morning so I'm still hoping it's water weight. If that's it, it better be gone by Mondays official WI!

~good Morning everyone~Pain is leaving ~SO THANK GOD FOR THAT!
Hope all you lovely people have a Lovely day~Thanks for being true angels!
HUGS!

stargzr thank you! You are such an inspiration and I love having you in this thread! I really hope you start seeing the results you are wanting on the scale. I know what you mean about getting ansy as you get closer to goal. I have been trying to reach my goal of getting into the 150's but it seems so elusive. I have the same feelings you have about always being the same size no matter what I do, and since I'm nowhere near my personal goal it makes me want to give up sometimes. But, when I start to feel that way I take a step back and look at how far I've come. It's worked so far, and although it doesn't feel like it at times, it will continue to work if I stick with it you know? And I have heard that saying too about looking good naked lol. It's what I keep in mind when I really don't want to work out because I know that it will be best for me in the long run. So, let's just stay positive and keep working hard and we'll make it to the 150's really soon!!

Lori, I'm glad your pain is going away!