Hey Gang, TIGIF!!!

I'm down another pound. I can't believe I've lost 15 pounds since starting the challenge. All of y'all are so motivating!

Have a great day & weekend.

Jenjen - 15 pounds!! WHOO-HOO!! That's fabulous!!

My son and I have been updating our computers this week. We added more RAM. It was super simple and made a HUGE difference. I was about ready to buy a new computer but now it's running like a different machine.

We've also been cleaning up the boat and getting it ready for summer. Need some work done on the carburator. Weeding & tending the garden which is a never-ending task, IMO.

I'm LOVING summer. I hope you all are, too!!

Happy Friday!
It's official...my scales HATES me! This morning I was 300.0! I just wanna see 2 something! I am not walking today, it is supposed to be super hot! I am going to stay indoors, where there is a/c. I am going to the gym after work, so I will get my exercie in there. Anyway, I just wanted to say happy Friday to everyone and share my scale struggle. I will keep you updated!

Julia---that is awesome! I felt that way when I put on a pair of jeans that hadn't fit me since I bought them. Now I wear them all the time!

Bye for now!
--Misty

Good luck with finals-oolong
Thanks for the suggestion ggmugsy I will try the double days and hope that is what it takes. The picture really is decieving! I carry all my weight in my belly and there is pleanty there just hidden behind my son
WOW jenjen 15 lbs that is awesome!
Julia congrats on the wedding ring that is a victory I am waiting for too-
Misty I have a love hate relationship with my scale too. Sorry yours is being stuborn-put it away for the rest of the week and then bring it out next week. I find when I am getting down about my lack of losses it is usually because I am checking all too often. You will get there-this awesome muscle you are building is going to pay back in full force soon!

So yay I got a short 20 min. walk in this morning and a 20 min. session of yoga without feeling lightheaded and faint from my blood sugar. I think I finally have tabs on it again-now I better not get sick again at least until winter time. I am going to try to do a weight session tonight and hopefully feel like running a bit in the morning.

I am heading out of town again tomorrow for a sister's baby shower in the evening and then a birthday party Sunday and will be back on Monday. I love seeing my sisters it makes me so happy, but dang it we love to sit around the table chatting too much! I will be strong-I will be strong!

I come in shame and horror to whine and confess to you all You all know I took like a week and a half to just relax and not worry about anything, came back feeling destressed and started my Dr. Oz program. Well, the scale was saying 220 after the week off but Dr. Oz had me feeling so good after just a couple days it was back down to 216...and then last night hubby left out and he will be gone this weekend and soon as he walked out the door I said "okay kids, who wants taco bell?" I was screaming at myself inside NOT TO DO IT the whole way, but did it anyway. Today was to be my official WI and I was going to be back to 216, maybe even 215 and it was pure self destruction, and a lot to do with emotions as well. I ate horribly, close to 2,000 calories, and now today the scale is saying 219 I know it is all the sodium in taco bell and some will come off, and I have been back on plan today and feel somewhat better already. It's like my head was in the wrong place last night, and I woke up today clear headed, but ready to choke myself to death.

I don't want to post a 3 lb. gain but also if I use my second freebie I will have to worry about being dropped out of the competition if something happens later and I can't WI for some reason. I think part of the problem is I have been weiging myself several times daily and when it gets close to a WI I am seeing good numbers I just want to self destruct for some reason...SO I need to go back to just weighing in weekly and won't WI until the 30th...so it's either post a gain or take a freebie

Yesterday was like a huge step back to where I started from 40 lb. ago. When I first started, I would sabotage myself every week. I'd be perfect, then the day before WI would binge and ruin it, then binge through WI day thinking I had another week to work it off...only to start all over again the next WI day. I had to stop weighing daily to break that and was okay with weighing every couple days after awhile...but I guess I need to go back to only on WI days.

The good news is I am not emotional today and am clear on my goals....and feel better already, just got straight back on program but can't stop beating myself up over it.

***deep breath*** on another note: I am going to be focusing more on my waist measurement. Dr. Oz says it is what shows your true health, your risk for cancer, heart disease, etc. and he doesn't even recommend following the scale at all, but your waist measurement. Mine is 39" right now, and for a woman healthy is 32.5" or less. That's a lot of inches to lose...but then again I was close to 50" if not at that when I started (not sure, but it was at least clsoe) so I have already that many inches and more...I can do it! I'm hoping this will take my focus off the scale more, since it's something more healthy to focus on.

Hey team...no time to post lately!

I've been reading and cheering you on!

Purple, have to respond to you since I am following yours directly, I can relate on SO many points to what you say...I don't know what that self-sabotage is about...but I've had that too! ACK! Hang in, and get right back to it and you will be fine.

It's been a rough few days for me emotionally, a friend died Sunday, she was only 34 (she had ovarian cancer) and she left behind a one year old son and 14 year old daughter. She was married for the second time a couple years ago to a wonderful man and they discovered the cancer while she was pregnant. She decided she wanted to let her pregnancy progress no matter what and she had a beautiful, healthy little boy. She did aggressive treatment after giving birth, but sometimes...

Anyway, the funeral was yesterday, it was just beyond heartbreaking! I grieve for her parents and her husband and children. Just, so, so, so sad!

Anyway ladies, hug your loved ones extra close today and GO TO YOUR ANNUAL EXAMS! If it's been awhile call your doctor TODAY!!! Life is very precious and sometimes very brief. A reminder not to take it for granted.

As for me...I'm doing OK. I was VERY thankful DH went with me yesterday, I could not have handled that alone and he was wonderful. Also my dad has been home sick for a few days, seriously ill with fever and pain in his legs. They are not sure what it is yet, kidney stone or some other infection...test results come back Monday. Anyway, I've been thinking about him too, making food for my mom and him, and letting my dad's health sort of be a wake up call to me to GET HEALTHY and stay healthy!

When I really consider the alternative...HOW HARD IS IT to just eat healthy and exercise? Do I want to be sick and weak and fat? NO!

So, that's where my head has been the last few days.

to you all!

Manick that is incredibly hard, esp. with the children. I am glad they will be left with a good father, but it will change their lives forever. You are so right, it seems like it should be darned easy, but it's so complicated when you look at food in the wrong way...we need to just look at it as nourishment for the body, PERIOD, but very few people can do that anymore. It's been like a friend to me, and is so hard to let go of...but I realize at the same time it's not worth it, esp. when it can put your life at risk. Dr. Oz explains how cancers develop in his book YOU: staying young and it was eye opening. I thought it was something that just gets in there like a virus and hangs on, but it's actually the way your cells multiply and make mistakes...anyway, it's interesting if you want to read up on it I recommend his book. hang in there, we're going to get through this somehow, someway, someday.

Hey gang, back again at the end of the day.

GG, you've been really busy! Yes, I'm enjoying summer. I was driving down the beach at lunch & thinking, "when I take the week off, I'm going to rent an umbrella & sit on the beach!" And, I plan on doing it to.

Misty, Try not to get down on yourself. Just remember how far you've come & that you are getting healthier.

Smurf, Glad you are feeling up to exercising again. I am always amazed that when I don't exercise for a couple of days, my body really misses it.

Purple, I know exactly what you mean about being self-destructive. I've done it for the past couple of weeks. I eat well/healthy and exercise during the week, but on the weekend, I run wild. The next week I play "catch up" to try to get back to where I was. I've promised myself I won't do it this weekend. I'm going to keep myself busy & eat healthy! I wouldn't worry about posting a 3 pound gain. I know it's not easy, but I honestly feel that it's braver to post a gain than to use a freebie.

Manik, I'm so sorry for your loss. You are so right that life is precious. I learned that last year. I'm 36 and last year I was diagnosed w/a brain tumor. It was removed last May. I wake up every day thankful that I'm alive--and healthy. It took me another 6 months to realize I needed to do something about my weight. But, I realized this is the only body I get and I need to take care of it.

Jenjen - OMG!! What kind of brain tumor?? My mother had an acoustic neuroma and one of my friends had a tumor on her pituitary gland. Brain tumors are much more common than most people think, IMO.

Purple - Sweetie . . . just pick yourself up and keep going, just like you said. This is a PROCESS. Nobody does it perfectly. For the challenge, you have until Monday at midnight to log a weigh in. You an choose to do it today, or you can wait until Monday. It's your choice.

You and I have lost about the same amount and I've found I kind of needed to get comfy at this weight a little. Say goodbye to what I've lost and then come to terms with what's still in the mirror. I've made good progress, but the reality is I still have more fat to lose. It can be scary. The more I talk with women that have successfully lost weight, the more I know they had real moments of fear about shedding the weight. People treat you differently. Sometimes it isn't easy.

Misty - You are SOOOOOO CLOSE!!!!! I bet if you are good this weekend you will be rewarded Monday morning with a 2 number!!!

Manick - How sad!! That poor family.

Soul - Where are you?? What have you been up to??

Jessica - I see your pretty face, whazzup??

Angeline - Yup. Power 90 is Tony Horton, too.

Reda - Beware of mint in the garden. It's wonderful but it will take over everything if you let it. Oregano is even worse.

I was going to go hiking today and my friend bailed on me. It's nearly 3:00 in the afternoon and I haven't worked out. (Jaws theme playing in the background . . . ) What to do . . .

Hope everybody has a happy, healthy, and OP weekend!!

Thanks Purple and Jen and Mugsy!

Jen CONGRATS on the fantastic losses so far! Good for you for making a change for yourself. I am sure a brain tumor was so incredibly frightening! I am glad you are doing alright now! Jeepers!

Purple I am going to check out the OZ books from the library, now you've really got me interested and I was already interested a couple days ago....I HAVE been reading everything just felt too tired to post...
You are right it is NOT that easy, it sure isn't for me, I am such a 2 step forward 1 step back kind of loser...odd, but that's the way it seems to be going. I too am a HUGE foodie, probably no surprise to anyone here and the thought of food only for "fuel"...well...hm. Yet I have been slowly but surely addressing the stuff that sends me to the food in times of stress, tiredness, celebration, sadness, anger, la,la,la...yeah, I join the ranks of the emotional eaters. Also keeping the weight OFF was kind of scary I guess...as I gained mine BACK. It was over some years...but still....ugh. My father has done the same thing over the years, lose, gain, lose, gain, maintain...the yo-yo is simply NOT healthy. Thanks for the recommendation, I will check out the books!

Mugsy my oregano in the ground just hangs out there...am I doing something wrong? It only expands a little bit each year. Mint, I keep in pots and aggressively rip it out when it wanders into the garden. I love it tho. I like to eat it in salads and tea and chopped up with yogurt.

Smurf LOVED the pic of your family, SO beautiful! You look fantastic! Keep it up

Julia was cheering for you on the wedding ring...that is exciting and a nice reward for all your hard work! My ring is actually starting to get a bit big...I will wait to do anything about it however.

Reda have a good weekend!

Oolong good luck on finals...will you be done then?

Misty You are very close now...you will get there! I have my days of scale hate too, you could take a break till next week, sometimes I do that when I get too weird about it. If I know I'm doing what I should then it is ok. But then again, it is hard NOT to weigh myself.

My eating is strangely fine. I've been just sort of eating what I wanted the last 2 days and I find I AM eating very small amounts of mostly healthy stuff. Scale is steady which is fine with me for now too. Last night I grilled a steak and sliced it thin and just ate about 3 oz on top of a salad. I was perfectly satisfied and that was it for dinner. I am back to tracking strictly today, but it was good for me mentally that I did not go hog wild the last 2 days...just kept on doing what I should. The changes I have made are sticking with me (I hope). Going to try to walk again tonight and a longer walk tomorrow.

Have a good weekend everyone.

M

Manick so sorry to hear about your friend-I applaude her for giving her children life at the risk of her own and very glad that she/they have a wonderful guy.

Not to lighten the seriousness of keeping in check with our health...BUT OH MY GOSH!!! I am in LOVE and actually looking forward to my next TOM-I think I will leave it at that for now and make you all wonder why-hehehe I am off to pump some iron!

Smurf - Are you PREGNANT???

Manick - My oregano always goes to seed because I don't use enough. The seeds sprout new little oreganos everywhere. Is yours going to seed? It sounds like your eating and everything is going great even though this has been a rough time. I lost 70 pounds once and gained it back. I agree with you . . . the maintenance part is scary.

My DH is SICK. He's on-call this weekend, and just got called in. We were at the end of a movie. Guess it will have to wait.

Smurf - what are you up to????? lol!!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to check in and let you know how proud I am that we're all still working the challenge, even through challenges of our own.

My roommate picked up an elliptical machine, so I've been trying to incorporate that into the workouts a couple times during the week, but its hard! And, I missed my normal workout on Thursday, because I had a "date". To be honest, I would have rather worked out - meeting someone has been more work than trying to lose weight, I think.

And, I kinda fear that I'm plateauing. I was up .4 last week, to 243.4 by the WW scale, and my home scale has said 240 for 2 weeks straight. I'm going to make sure that I get in all of my water the next two days, and cut out all excess sodium. A combination of sodium/beer bloat got me last weigh-in, I think. Also, come Monday, I need to hang up the heavy underwear, and find the lightest summery clothes I own for WI

I hope this week goes well for all of you - remember to take care of yourselves!

Hello Team!
Yesterday I did my sixth day of 30 Day Shred. It goes easier every time, but the push up part is still hard.. Today I'll start the push up challenge,, Right now I can do none real.. Maybe 5 if I don't go down to much.. And about 20 girly ones.. So we'll see how that goes.. Guess it will take more than 6 weeks, but that's okay for me..
My weigh in for this week went very well, down 5 pounds!!!! TOM is coming up next week, so I hope there'll be no gain then..
Have a nice weekend!