Well, it's Monday and I have lost 4 lbs!!!! YIPPEE!!!!!

I know most of it is probably water weight, but I don't care. It feels good to see that scale go down more than a couple pounds and it makes me even more motivated to watch my eating a little more closely this week in order to make it go down that much more next week. 220 is within reach and then 215 will be within reach and I'll be that much closer to getting my life and confidence back! I only hope that all of you had a successful Monday and a great weekend!

Talk to you soon,
Melissa

Hi everyone! I am really excited about this thread and holding each other accountable. Julie, Melissa, and LadyB, would you mind if I join your group?

It would be my pleasure Mander.....welcome!

Have you weighed in yet this week? Are you planning on sticking with a specific diet?

Good luck with your weight loss endeavor....I know we can do it, especially if we stick together.

TTUL

Melissa

Thanks for welcoming me Melissa! I have weighed this week, I am at 214 pounds - my all time high

I am planning on calorie counting, just because that is what I have tried and what has worked before.

To be honest I am struggling with motivation right now, so I haven't started "counting" yet. I need to get in gear soon!

Hey Mander!

Don't worry about that high number, just remind yourself that it only gets better from here on out. When I get down on myself or get frustrated that the LBS aren't coming off fast enough....I just tell myself that it only gets better if I choose to do something about it and that because I'm doing something, today is always going to be better than yesterday. Don't beat yourself up and take it one step at a time, I know you can do it.

I'm also a calorie counter and I have to say that I do my best when I use an online counter. I just recently switched from fitday.com to dailyplate.com. The Daily plate has so many more foods in the database! But they're both great sites. If you haven't checked them out, I would HIGHLY recommend it.

As far as the motivation thing, the best advice I can give is, mix in a workout.
When I have a hard time getting my diet on track, I hit the gym. I am less likely to eat a lot when I busted my butt in the gym ......it just seems like a waste of time if I eat badly. Do you belong to a gym?

I wish you the best of luck and hope you have a great day!

Talk to you soon,
Melissa

Hi girls!!!
Oh geez, after a huge hiatus, I'm back! I've been crazy sick for the past week and it has been just awful. I think I'm finally out of the woods but I'm so sorry to have been away for so long!

Anyway, it sounds like things are going really well Melissa!!! Congrats on the four pounds! Wow!! That's amazing! Way to kick butt!!

I've been staying on track as well, which is great! I weighed in at 144 this week which means I'm down another two pounds. Yay!
I'm a bit worried about this week, since I'm still not well enough to go to the gym.. but I've been really good with my eating (food kind of grosses me out at the moment.. hey.. that's new! haha) so here's hoping it all goes ok.

Welcome Mander! Nice to have you here! How's your motivation going? I know it can be pretty tricky.. like Melissa said though, going to the gym is amazing for keeping your food on track! All the hard work at the gym really makes you question if what you're eating is really worth the effort to burn it off.

So gals, I'm wondering if we should move our group to a different area or something? So we're not in the newbie zone for good?

All the best for the week.. keep kickin' butt Melissa and best of luck on getting going Mander! You guys can do it!!

Welcome back Julie!!

Missed ya! I'm sorry you haven't been feeling good, but hopefully all that bug fighting in your body revved up your metabolism and you'll still have a good loss this week. And congrats on the 2 lbs!!! That is really GREAT!!!

This week has been pretty good for me, except for yesterday. My girlfriend just had a baby and she couldn't have carbs during her entire pregnancy. So, yesterday I made her homemade macaroni and cheese and homemade cornbread, but unfortunately there was a lot of tasting going on in that kitchen. Any good tips to keep from tasting EVERYTHING.......ALOT?

But I am back on track today, and hoping that yesterday didn't throw me off too much.

As far as the moving the thread thing.....sounds good to me. I'm still pretty new to this site, so if you want to start something up, I will follow you. Just let me know when and where.

I also joined the The Biggest Loser "Beachy" Challenge which starts April 28th. Do you know anything about how it works?

Glad to see ya back and thanks for all the support.....it can truly see that it is helping already. Just checking in here on a daily basis renews my commitment to myself and you guys.

Talk to you soon!
-Melissa

Hey Melissa!
Sounds like you're still doing really well, so congrats.
As for the tasting in the kitchen, I know how you feel! It can be sooo difficult not to. I don't have any advice for you on that one. I suppose it would help to make things for other people that you aren't as fond of, but what fun is that really??
Anyway, it was one day, and it seems like you're still very committed. I think we're allowed those days every now and then.. as long as we get back in the game and don't use it as an excuse to keep cheating. Plus I think since you did such a nice thing for your friend your scale karma will be through the roof!
I'm really looking forward to getting back to the gym. Have you been lately? How's everything else going?
Do you have the dreaded 'treats table' at work? We have one right outside my office. People bring things in and they sit on the table screaming at me to eat them! Hehe. It's so tempting and is a real willpower tester for me. I wasn't so good at resisting on Friday. Too much chocolate! Aaaah!
I was also looking at the Biggest Loser Beachy Challenge. I thought it looked interesting and thought of joining because I really like the show, but I really have no idea how it works.
Have you set any short term goals for yourself? I'm thinking of setting a couple, just to keep my motivation going.
I'm trying to figure out where we can move this thread. I'll figure something out and let you know.
Well I must get going. Good luck with your weigh in tomorrow!!!
Wishing you superlow scale numbers,
Julie

HI JULIE!!!!

I guess your superlow scale number wishing worked! I lost 3 LBS this week
I am ecstatic!! Especially since I didn't get to the gym as much as I had wanted. I am aiming for 6 days a week, knowing that if I miss 1 extra, that still gives me 5 days at the gym. But this week I had some extra stuff going on and only made it 4 days. But 4 days is better than none and I have to remember that every week and every day won't be perfect, but it's what I do the next day to get back on track, that matters.

So, how are you feeling? Are you well yet? I know sometimes when you're sick, it can zap your energy for a long time. I hope you are starting to feel like yourself again and that the gym is in your near future.

As far as the dreaded treat table goes.....oh yeah....we definitely have one! But fortunately, I am a nurse and the bedsides are not near it, so I only have to resist it around break time, or any time I walk past the conference room. The bad part is, that patient's families love to bring us lots of yummy treats to thank us for caring for their babies. So there are always yummy things showing up. But I try to not take the first bite and then I can't go back and have another. 'Cause I know myself and know that I can't just take one bite...one bite turns into two, turns into 20. It's a slippery slope. It's kind of a bummer that your coworkers try to get you to eat all the naughty things... I guess sometimes people want to make themselves feel better about their lack of willpower by bringing down someone else's. But as long as it isn't an everyday thing...it doesn't hurt to have some treats now and then.

Where do you work by the way? Are there treats around all the time? At least Easter is over....that was the worst!

I think it's a great idea to set Mini Goals. I think that I am going to aim to get down to 205 by June 1st. That's a little more than 2 lbs a week and I think that is doable. Plus, my boyfriend's grandmother is turning 90 and they are having a big party where I will be meeting a lot of his family for the first time. So it will be great to feel good about myself and feel like he can be proud of me.

What about you? What is your mini goal going to be? And how did you do this week? Any progress in that number? I wish you the best and hope that you have a great day!

Talk to you soon!
Melissa

Hi!!
WOW!!!!! Three more! Way to go!!! You must be so proud of yourself! That's amazing!!!!

I have stayed the same this week (144) which is kind of a miracle given that I haven't been working out and I snitched a few things here and there (darn chocolate on Friday!). So I'm happy I stayed the same but a bit disappointed that I haven't lost. Ah well, back in the game this week!

I'm feeling much better today. I'm ready to get back to the gym tonight, in fact I'm dying to go, but I have to stick around at work for a special event. Tomorrow will be the day I go back in full force. Way to go on sticking with going to the gym! That's great. Do you find you're noticing a change? Sometimes that is the most rewarding part of the gym.. being able to go faster or harder than you could before.

As for my job.. I work in a professional theatre (live theatre, not movies as everyone usually thinks. Hehe) doing public relations. Basically I try to get lots of media and exposure for the shows we present. Lots of radio and tv stuff so it's a lot of fun. Your job must be so interesting! All kinds of sweet little babies around. Awww! People tend to bring us a lot of treats too.. opening nights are especially bad.. that's when we get tons of things coming in from the actors and directors as thank yous.

June 1 sounds like a good mini goal date. I think I'll set the same date, then we can kick each other's butts if necessary! That's about six and a half weeks.. so I think I'll aim for 15 pounds. I usually lose about 2 pounds a week.. so it may be a bit high but good motivation for me. I'm trying to decide what my reward will be (aside from feeling better). I'm thinking new running shoes might be good.

Good idea about your boyfriend's family party. Have you been together long? Meeting 'the family' is always fun. Plus you'll have even more confidence when you meet them with your rockin' bod.

I'm really hoping to get down in size in time for summer. It's finally above 0 degrees here and everyone is starting to wear more spring/summery clothes.. so the fear of summer dresses and sleeveless shirts is looming! Yikes!

Well I must get to work. Congrats again on your awesome progress. It's a great motivator for me to see how well you're doing. Keep kickin' butt girl!

Julie

Hey there,

How's is going? Congrats on not gaining this week!! I know it's frustrating, but at least it wasn't a gain. And like you said.....considering you didn't feel well enough to get to the gym, maintaining was still really great!

So, how was getting back to the gym? I think it's a really good sign that you can't wait to get to the gym. Just think about how many times you have dreaded going and avoided it or put it off. You have to be excited that you're actually craving it!

As for me, I have actually had the most amazing week so far. I have actually got my butt out of bed twice this week at 5:30 AM and made it to the gym! Now, for someone who works night shift....this has to be one of the most amazing feats EVER!!!! But it felt so good to get it done and out of the way. Plus, I was just really proud of myself because if I didn't get up and do it at that time, there would have been no other time in the day to do it. It's been great! I am pretty sure I will be able to make my 6 day gym goal this week It is getting a bit easier, and I am super excited about mixing in some running! In the past when I was at my thinnest, I had completed a few olympic distance triathlons and a half marathon and I was running anywhere between 6 and 12 miles a day. I loved the feeling I got when I could run for and hour and half without stopping and still feel good and strong. I am hoping to get back to at least running 5 miles without stopping....but I know that is a long way off. Have you ever trained for an event like those? They're great for motivation and it's nice to have a goal associated with your workouts, besides weight loss.

The other thing I am excited about, is that I am picking up a second job to make some more cash and this week just happens to be a week that I am basically working every night. The greatest part about this is that I can't drink any beer this week and I usually eat less and am more disciplined when I work and am on a roll in my diet. So....I am hoping for a good loss this week!!!

How has your week been going? Your job sounds like it is really cool and exciting! It must be so much fun to get to go to all the radio and TV stations to promote everything. It sounds like it would never be boring and challenging all at the same time. What city do you live in that the temp is hovering around 0 degrees? HOLY MOLY that's COLD!!! I am in Santa Rosa, CA....which is about an hour north of San Francisco and we start to complain around 40 and 50's....I can't imagine living in 0 degrees!!! That's crazy!! But it certainly does delay the sun dresses a bit.

Your goal for June sounds perfect! I know if we both stick together, we can make it!! It's totally doable!!! I like your idea about the running shoes....what is it about new exercise clothes and shoes that give me more motivation to work out? I love it! Plus, exercise clothes seem to be so expensive, so it's a good way to stretch out the cost a little bit. I think I am going to make my reward a new outfit for Brian's family affair! I have met most of the immediate family (and love them....thank GOD!!!) but this will be a lot of extended family that I haven't met yet. So it would be great to have that little bit of extra confidence.

We have been together about 2 and a half years and have been living together for almost 2 years. We had a very fast progression through dating, but we both knew very early on that things were different than anything we had ever experienced before. What can I say...when you know, you know. I know it is totally cliche....but it's totally true!! I am the happiest I have ever been in my life, and getting my weight under control will be icing on the cake.

Well...I hate to cut this short, but I have to get ready to head off to work. I hope your week has been going good and that you enjoyed your time back at the gym!

Sending good thoughts your way.......Have a great Day!!!

-Melissa

Hi again!!
Well, I'm glad it's Sunday. I'm ready to start a new week and really kick some butt. This past week at work was a killer. I worked four nights in addition to working all day because we had events, and we opened a show which = killer week for me. I barely got to the gym, which is very disappointing. This coming week is pretty clear though, so I'm hoping to get there at least three times between Monday and Friday and to go to classes on both Saturday and Sunday. Yikes, I'm afraid of the scale tomorrow.

Way to go on your awesome week!!!! Yeahhh!! That's great! It's awesome that you stuck to your gym schedule, especially when you've been so busy. Did you meet your goal? Amazing that you got up super early too! Wow.. that is NEVER easy! Huge props to you. Especially with your schedule. The running thing sounds so cool! I've always envied long distance runners. It has always seemed like the ultimate test in fitness to me, to keep your body going for that long. Good luck getting back into it!

Congrats on the second job! Good idea to keep yourself busy, plus the added bonus of extra money! Are you trying something new? Or does it relate to your job now? New jobs are always great to give your mind a fresh start I hear you on the beer thing.. I'm not a big beer drinker but I do like mixed drinks. I know they're lethal when it comes to losing so I'm really trying to watch. Kind of sucks, but it's all worth it in the long run.

I live in London, Ontario Canada. I probably should have said that before, seeing as 0 degrees here is not exactly the same as 0 degrees there! Haha. It's still very cold here at times though. It got down to -31 this winter. Brr! I'm so happy to see the sunshine and warmer temperatures these days! So you're in Santa Rosa? I'm not entirely familiar with that area, but I have always wanted to go to San Fransisco. I'm not sure why, exactly, but it jsut looks so interesting! Maybe I watched too much Full House as a kid or something. Haha. My coworker went there last year and he said that the weather there every day is comparable to our spring/summer here. Sounds ok to me! I take it you don't get much snow/ice in Santa Rosa?

It's so true that new exercise clothes = gym motivation! I suppose any excuse to wear new duds and look good! I have found lululemon clothes to be the best for me.. the pants are the most flattering I've found. They are pretty $$$, but anything that makes my butt and thighs look good is well worth the money, i say. Hahah.

Nice idea about the new outfit for the family party. You're going to knock their socks off.

It sounds like you and your boyfriend are very happy together! Hooray for great guys. He must be really proud of you for making such positive changes in your life.

So sorry to cut this short, but I should really get a start on my laundry. Why do I always leave it to Sunday night? Oh... because I haaaaate it! Haha.

Best of luck tomorrow on the scale. I know you'll do great! June, here we come!

Keep on rockin' the scale and talk to you soon!!!!
Julie

I'm sorry this has to be so quick, but I don't want to miss a weigh in day. I promise I will write a note worthy of your last one, but right now I just have to write a quick one.

So, after all the hype of this week, I stayed the same weight. I am a super disappointed, but I am 4 days into my "TOM" and I worked a night shift last night, which generally I retain fluid after those....so I am hoping I still had a loss, but those contributing factors tipped the scales. I feel like I am smaller, which makes me feel a little better......but I was really hoping to get under that 220 mark. I know the numbers shouldn't make a difference....but who are we kidding? They do..


Hope your weigh in went better than mine....

I promise a better, more comprehensive email tomorrow......TTUS

Melissa

Good Morning!

I am doing much better than I was yesterday. I hit that scale this morning with a little bit of apprehension, but I was pleasantly surprised when it showed a 218!!!! YIPPEE!!! I'm just so happy I am under that 220 mark!! Now I feel like all of my efforts last week and 6 days at the gym were actually scale productive.

How'd your weigh in go? It sounds like you had a super crazy week!! Did you find any time to sleep? At least you have a less crazy week ahead of you and hopefully will have some fun at the gym. What classes are you planning on going to?

So you're in Canada then huh? I Love Canada.....well, what I have seen of it. We went on a small cruise last year to Victoria, Vancouver and Nanaimo which I believe is on the other side from where you are, but I just loved everything about it. Everyone was sooooooo friendly, and the cities were so clean and cute ...and there were pubs EVERYWHERE....which was our favorite part But really, it was a great trip and you have a beautiful country. So, are you a hockey fan? Brian and I are HUGE Sharks fans..... GO SHARKS!!! Game 7 of the Sharks v Flames is tonight and it's do or die. I'm excited, but a little scared....game 7's are CRAZY, and anything can happen. GO SHARKS!!!

I totally understand about the laundry thing. I don't think I mind washing the laundry, but I HATE folding it. I think it's because we have so many clothes and when they all get put away at the same time, our closet is too full!! But that will be changing soon enough. We are right in the middle of buying a bigger house. Which is the reason why I have the second job. We need the extra cash to make eveything work. The second job is still in the Intensive Care Nursery, it's just a little closer to home. I work full time an hour away in San Francisco at a big hospital, we have a 52 bed unit...and my second job is about 10 min away and in a much smaller environment...only 13 bed unit. It's nice though, because at the second job there are a lot healthier babies, which makes it feel more like babysitting for $55/hour....and I can do that anyday

Hopefully I will make enough cash to be able to afford some cute exercise clothes along the way. I haven't heard of lululemon clothing before, but I am certainly going to see if I can get my hands on some. I'll take anything that will help me in the butt and thigh category. I think that has to be the most troublesome part of my body. I am 6 feet tall and I have long legs, but I have pretty thick calves and thighs. Plus I have a big pooch in my lower abs. They are definitely getting smaller, but I can always use some help in that region.

Speaking of making them smaller, I gotta head out to the gym. I hope you're having a good day, and that you are enjoying some down time after your crazy week. Talk to you soon!

Melissa

Hi Melissa!!
Congrats on the under 220 mark!!!!! AWESOME! All your hard work is paying off!
I hope your weigh in today goes really well!
My body seems to be stalling at the moment. I'm still wavering between 142 and 144. I know TOM is lurking though, and I think that has something to do with it. Ah well, I'm just going to keep on track and hopefully my body gets the message soon that I'm not giving up!
I have to apologize for not writing much! Things have been insane lately. I thought since we opened the final show of the season that I would get a bit of a breather.. but the show is going over really well.. so we have decided to hold it over! Which means a lot more media and a busy me. Hehe.
Have you started your new job yet? You must be so excited!! That's really exciting about the new house too! You have a lot of great changes happening in your life right now. and $55/hr!?!? WOW!!!!!!!
Oh yes, if you look into lululemon I bet you'd like it. The material is really great because it pulls everything in and yet is still really comfortable. They also have really cute cuts and styles. Very flattering! It sounds like we have similar body types. I'm shorter but I have the lower ab/thigh/butt thing and I have bigger legs. Some of the leg 'bigness' is muscle from roller skating but they are big nonetheless. I've also started noticing that my upper arms are bigger than usual.. I believe some people call them bat wings! Can't wait to see those go away! heh.
As a Canadian, I kind of fail in the liking hockey department. Hahaha. My boyfriend more than makes up for it though. He likes to yell at the tv. I try to tell him that the players can't hear him, but no dice!
How is your eating going? Is there anything you're relying on more these days? I'm so glad summer is on the way.. lots of fresh veggies.. .. and don't even get me started on corn on the cob.. DROOOOL.. sooo good. Hehe.
Are you a pop drinker? I'm still addicted but I usually drink diet.. but I keep reading all these news bits about how it could be really bad for your diet because it may make your appetite stronger. Here's hoping that's not true!
Well, I must get to work. Again, I feel bad for not replying sooner. Maybe I should pass along my email or facebook. I seem to check on them more often when I'm busy.
Anywho, GOOOOD luck on the scale today!!! : Hope it goes great! I'm sure it will
Julie