Thanks for the welcome

It's been pouring rain all day so I don't know what to do for exercise. Before I would have popped in a DVD or something but I'm thinking I have a couple months before my body can handle a Jillian Michaels DVD or my Zumba set.

I have absolutely no abdominal strength at the moment, and I can't imagine what it would feel like to jump (I don't want to!) My incision still hurts a lot! I was laying in bed last night on my back and tried to do a leg lift and I could not get my leg up. I also cannot sit up without pulling or pushing myself with the arms or legs. It's really depressing, but I guess the whole getting my abdominal muscles sliced open thing. I guess I have made a lot of progress in 2 weeks, as last week I couldn't even roll over onto my side and now I can do it pretty well if I go very slowly.

Ever-DON'T GET DISCOURAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am telling you my abs are STILL my weakest point even after 10 months and not having a C section. You have to listen to your body, you really shouldn't try doing any ab work of any kind for at least 6-8 weeks, and even then it should be gentle and minimal. At this point the best way to shrink the post baby pooch is to just do whatever cardio you can, breast feed if you are going to, and watch that you don't eat fattening, carb ridden foods. You will get there, I figure it took me 40 weeks to gain the 27 and 28 lbs I gained with each of my 2 LOs so it could take at least that long to lose it! Just stick with walking, hauling your adorable baby around, maybe some light free weights for upper body and squats and lunges for now. Do a 30 minute circuit at home if it is raining-30 seconds each of walking around the house, bicep curls, tricep extensions, squats, lunges, and modified pushups x10. If you did that and walked with baby you would see results I promise! You can do this, trust me!

Everlasting- welcome back I am back too after just having a baby my little girl will be 3 weeks on Friday. I was doing well on my journey I had lost 25 lbs in 2 months and then I found out I was pregnant. So here I am time to get back to it. Congrats and good luck!!!

Busy, busy, busy here! I'm going to make a point to get to personals tomorrow! I have to get back to posting more regularly. This past month I've been at a standstill...just so much going on. I have been trying to keep up with my Tuesday and Thursday gym time though. It's hard and very easy to just skip, but I'm trying to push through. Anyway, I miss everyone and am hoping to be able to check in more soon! Student teaching ends for me November 16th so I'll have Mondays and Wednesdays free again and hopefully be able to get back on track and start losing again.

Oh wow, only two days into November and the chat is jumping... I love it! I am excited to see new faces and all the familiar ones from the October chat! Yay 20-somethings!

Well after not making my Halloween goal, I got discouraged, I am not going to lie, and I kinda decided to just have whatever I wanted because I had tried to be so good for a while and then I felt like a failure... I know it is not the case, sometimes weight loss doesn't happen like you want it, but I had a bad day, I was stressed from school, I had a headache, and I got a grade I was not super happy about so I went home and made a batch of no-bake peanut butter cookies. Bad news. I should have just bought a small treat than to have a whole batch of cookies at my house. But oh well, I had bad diet, cookies and beer, and I know that doesn't mean I will gain a million lbs or anything, but I felt like I needed that day to just mope and eat and enjoy my food.. and I did it. I am just glad that I could make it into just one bad day instead of a bad few days or a bad week like I would have done last fall... so time to begin fresh now that that is out of my system.

Other than my struggle with my diet, I am starting to get bored with my gym routine so I am looking for ways to mix it up. I have started running on hill courses and doing some different things but I am not feeling that challenge. I know that insanity is expensive but I am craving a challenging program to get me through the winter... hmmm... I don't know what to do..

~~~
Icon- Awesome job on that half marathon! Way to go! I am feeling this need for motivation as well, especially now that it is winter... I hate winter! We gotta figure out some way around this! We can do this!

Rie- OMG!!! Your makeup at Halloween looked freaking awesome! and the before and after pictures you posted you can definitely tell the difference! You are kicking butt, way to go! You should be proud that your hard work is showing!

I hope you are enjoying your days off... there is nothing better than getting to cuddle up and watch kid's movies.. I watched Cars 2 this weekend and I wanted to keep going on the Pixar for the next few days... I love Pixar!

And those boots! Super-cute! You needed them no doubt.

Good luck with jumping back on the insanity train! Show Shaun T who is boss!

Alexis- Slow and steady wins the race for sure... everytime I try to push myself I end up feeling deprived and exhausted and sometimes end up gaining weight ... I would rather lose 5 lbs in a few months than to lose it in a week and gain it back plus some...

I am glad you are liking your job and your babysitting!

Munster- I am so sorry your whole family got sick... I was wondering what happened to you last month. But the fact that you are still keeping up with all your exercises is inspiring... it reminds me that I have no excuses, just my own laziness! I just gotta stop whining about the cold and school and get to moving.

Congrats on finishing your round 2 of Insanity! You should be proud, I hear that stuff is hard core! Good job.

BTW great job on your 20 lbs! yay!

Forever- Welcome!!! I think you will really enjoy posting here! I wish you luck

Everlasting- Congrats on the baby! That is exciting, but I am sure it is so tough... I have never had a baby but I agree with Munster that you gotta give yourself time. I am nervous that I will work all this time to lose weight and then start having babies but you have to remember you just did something amazing, you created a human, and therefore you are entitled to have recovery time... everything happens in time..

Sibi- Welcome! This is a good place for motivation and accountability! I look forward to hearing from you

Ashley- Welcome and congrats on your baby too!

Shauna- Welcome back, it is good to hear from you! I hope that baby is doing well!
Yay that your student teaching is almost done!
I know what you mean in saying once you get busy it is so easy to skip, I have been feeling that too! Ugh life gets in the way of my workouts too much ... lol. I wish you luck getting back into it!

~~

Well since my past two days have been pretty poor as far as my workouts and eating, I hope that I can check in tomorrow with glowing reviews of how awesome I did at the gym and eating... let's hope ...

Have a great night all

munster- thanks! I am trying to destress. I think i sprained my ankle >.< Whats an LO??? Loving...other. There we go. Congrats to you too!

Alex- yeah im a health psych intern. Sometimes people are like "omg this person at work wont stop going on about their problems! Its exhausting! ....how was your day?" And im like -___-

forever- welcome!

cm- what were you studying over here? I'm in Auckland- too windy in Wellington :P

rie- those pictures are amazing, well done! I just have to hold it together until the end of december and then i can have a holiday lol xD Its hard not to worry about the future, since I now realise how insanely unlucky an amazing amount of people are, but i know worry doesnt actually help. Arg! I want to clean so much because i like having a clean house! xD And cleaning is a fairly common procrastination/anxiety coping behaviour >.<

everlasting- BEBE PICTURES PLZ kthnx. Congrats on your addition! Good to see you back!

sibi- welcome back!

jamie- now its going into summer here im like omgwinterweightgainmustlose but then i get all dispondent and like, i cant lose it all in a week so why bother >.< We just gotta take small steps i guess (i keep saying that but i hate small steps!!!!). Perhaps you need some kind of winter social sport that will be cheaper than the Insanity?

I feel a little bit more positive today. Im guessing its because i actually did some exercise >.< Still ate badly but at least its one thing on my side. TGIF tomorrow! I think I strapped my ankle up a little too tight, cant feel my toes...

Hey all,

Bit of sad news right now. My dog has taken a turn for the worse. Her back legs are going and she's a bit woobly. She was shaking a lot this morning, it's just her cancer getting the best of her. She seems to have calmed down now (I'm sat next to her at the bottom of the stairs with my laptop) but it's not looking great.

But the good news is is that I weighed in at 166 lbs this morning. Granted, it's like 166.9 but oh welly =p. Got a recovery workout to do today so I'm happy for that. Back to work tomorrow, but if my dog gets any worse then I'm just going to call in sick.

After Friday and Saturday at work I have 8 days off, I can't wait. I'm seeing Evanescence and Within Temptation in concert, playing Uncharted 3 (at the same time as my bf, we're having a transatlantic 'play date' haha!) and just chilling out. That's about all from moi!

--

Everlasting - Sounds like you've had some amazing changes in your life! Congratulations on getting married and having a baby girl. I know it must dishearten you to not feel as fit as you were before, but girl, give yourself a BREAK! You've just had a baby! Let your body recover, you can still do some upper body exercises to get the endorphins running (which is what you lack right now making you feel a bit gloomy). Your body will heal in time, you'll be back to JM and Zumbaing and back on track! But rest up first! Be safe!

Alexis - Keep up the good work with your eating and I'm happy you're liking your new job! Thanks for the kind words =)

munster - Aww, thanks for your support as ever! You always make me feel awesome, hehe! YOU'RE SO CLOSE! My goal is 130, so I can only imagine how excited you must be. I know what you mean about sweating, I LOVE IT. It's the fat crying, haha! Sometimes when I'm doing Insanity on my own I picture someone else I know in the room with me doing it too, and it makes me push harder to sort of "show off" in a way that I can do it! Sometimes I can be a bit slack, so I'm sure doing a workout with a bunch of people is awesome, because there's a certain energy. I love those "I can't lift my arms" moments! You're such a MACHINE, haha! You need to change your username to munstermachine. =D

Sibi - Welcome back! Join in and get some support, it's an amazing support system, don't think I would have gotten this far without it!

sgregg - It's great to hear from you! Sorry that you're struggling, but you know what? You've just gotta do it! I've lacked in motivation too, I know we both slipped up around the same time last month, but you've just gotta force yourself to do it. Some days I really REALLY don't want to die by Shaun T's instruction, but I think "a. I'm going to feel so much better and b. It's one step towards my goal in the long run - and I know I'd give ANYTHING to be at my goal so I can certainly do this." So just doing it is the best way to go. I know how easy it is to not do it, because let's face it, it's easy to gain weight and that's why we're all here ;p. But we're here to say NO to laziness and get going!

Jamie - Thanks for your support, hun, you made me smile! And as for you: Don't worry about one slip up day, alright? We've ALL been there, done that! Just don't make a habit of it, don't make up excuses to have a cheat day, and you'll be fine. Also, if you feel like you're completely restricting treats, why not have like a small treat that you buy (as you said) once in a while? BUT! Only if you have the willpower to make it SMALL! ;p
If you want, I can set up a dropbox account with you and send you my digital copy of Insanity. It might be a slow process, but because you don't need it all at once it might work out? Like **** I was going to buy it...I got it the naughty way >_>. You'll have to use a PS3/Xbox or Laptop to play it but it works fine!

Icon - Just relax, take 10 minutes each morning to reflect positively on yourself and what you have right now - not what you might not have in the future. Living in fear of the future or worrying about it will mess up your present...which will inevitably mean that your future won't be as bright because you're gloomy right now =p. So the best thing you can do is think positive, or just get on with it and not worry! I know it's hard, I had anxiety problems too, I know it's definitely hard to just stop it essentially. But I know for a fact that losing weight really helped, especially exercise. When I see how far I've come in weight loss by myself it makes me think that with the same determination I can do anything in life. Sorry for ranting, hope it helps in some way!

Hi!

It's nice to see some familiar faces in here and some people coming back. I am coming back too after a bit of a time of it. I got down to about 189lbs but then I had some issues with school and a not-so-nice ex-boyfriend and I gained back a lot of the weight I lost.

I am amazed though at what a little time does. My current boyfriend and I are celebrating our six-month anniversary and in that time I have started a whole new major in college from freshman level on up and I'm really excited. Unfortunately, having a boyfriend who is a culinary student is awesome but not so awesome for my waistline. So I decided now is as good of a time as any to start losing weight.

I had a really good start today as far as exercise. I did a 45-minute workout and I will try to make it to a Zumba class this evening. The eating is harder to control but I'm sure I can do it with a lil support.

I look forward to talking to all of you.

My dog is going to be put to sleep today. I'm so devastated, she's been like a best friend to me for 12 years. I've grown up with her, I just don't like knowing she won't be there to see me through the rest of my life. But, that's the thing with pets isn't it? They don't last as long as you hope them to.

I am so so so sorry, Riestrella.... I know how heartbreaking that is. Pets become such a part of your life it's like you're losing a part of yourself. When I had to put my dog down (he was 14) it helped me a bit to know that he no longer had to suffer. After he died I swear there was one time when I heard the bells he used to have on his collar like he was right next to me. In my opinion, that was God telling me that he was safe I don't know if you're religious or not, but I'm sure she will be going to a better place

Hi everyone, been quite quiet around here!

As I mentioned in my brief previous post, my dog was put to sleep yesterday. I'm devastated, I loved that dog more than anything...h3ll, I loved her more than some of my closest friends if I'm honest - she was my favourite and things just feel so strange without her. I pretty much bawled my eyes out yesterday, they were actually swollen this morning. After work today I had to come home, and usually she would be there bringing me a shoe or a toy in her mouth and wagging her tail...but she wasn't there today. That was truly heartbreaking for me.

I keep remembering the important thing is that she's no longer suffering. She was a sick dog battling cancer, and it seemed like she had taken a very harsh turn and couldn't get up any more. I'm happy that she's in a better place away from her illness, but a selfish side of me wants her back (healthy and happy of course). I don't think I'm ever going to have a dog as amazing as her, she's been apart of my life since I was 10. Life just feels very empty right now.

I wish I could deliver this news in a more enthusiastic way, but I reached 165 lbs this morning. I'm not sure how it's happened, but it's happened. I'm now halfway to my Healthy BMI. I've edited my signature with one of my "side quests" which is reaching 159 lbs - the weight I was at when I was 17. When I reach 164 lbs I'll be at the weight I was when I was 18, it's crazy, I'm 1 lb away from erasing 4 years of weight gain and 6 lbs away from erasing 5 years of it. All in 11 months! So I'm hoping to reach my mini goal of the moment before December so I can say I've lost 5 years of weight gain in 1 year =).

I'm now off for a week, which I'm super happy about and frankly quite glad because now I can take some time to reflect and grieve the loss of my dog.
Sorry to be all down in the dumps =(

Thanks, you're definitely right about how much pets become apart of your life. I feel like I've lost one of my best friends in all honesty. You're also right that she is no longer suffering, she was really sick and she needed to be relieved of her pain.

Happy weekend all!

I started my weekend off pretty poorly, celebrating my husband's birthday... He wanted me to make him chicken pot pie, and I ended up making mashed potatoes and deviled eggs to go with it...and a lot of wine. I probably used a weeks worth of calories in one night lol... Oh well. As long as it doesn't happen all the time it is fine.

Other than that I am getting ready to dive into a super busy week of school (two papers, a presentation, alot of reading, and at least three meetings with professors ), I am pretty sure I will fall of the face of the planet a few days, but let's see. I am gonna keep the gym high up on my priority list and keep my house clear of snacks..( as a preventative measure)... So I need some good vibes coming my way this week

~~~~
Rie - I don't even know what to say because I am so happy and sad for you at the same time. I am soooo sooo sorry about your dog. That is heartbreaking ... HUGS.
But on the other hand, you hit your goal!!!!! YAY!!!! Great job!! I am super excited for you, you have been moving down the scale alot lately! Congrats!
Btw you are totally right about needing the willpower to make it small when I do indulge, I just know when I am not stressed my willpower is much stronger than when I have papers and presentations and all that. So Small steps for me will be to completely avoid snacks during my stress times because I don't wanna put myself in a bad position and risk feeling guilty on top of stress. Baby steps, one day I will be able to control all the time I hope.
I hope you enjoy your time off (and I will message you about the Dropbox thing... I'll have to get one somehow, thanks for that

Icon- I know what you mean about the baby steps, I hate them too... Sadly it seems like the only way to win... And that winter weight gain is what I wanna desperately fight... Ugh!
Give yourself time for your goals and I am sure you will accomplish them... It is a frustratingly slow process but it works out in the end. And for me the food is the hardest part to keep in check... But it is not impossible , and having good and bad days is fine, as long as the good wins in the end

Namaste- welcome!!! Congrats on the 6 months and for getting back into the swing of working out! I think the food part ends up being more difficult for alot of people (myself included)... And to have a bf that can cook well!! If my husband was an awesome chef I would die! Lol ... There would be no weight loss happening. But maybe he can cook some healthy stuff and make it taste really awesome for you??? That is what I need to do, make healthy food taste as good as unhealthy good luck !!

~~~ must get back to homework gonna do some yoga later though have a good weekend everyone!!

hi hi everyone!

My past three days have been a little more eventful than I'd hoped. My long-distance boyfriend and I are getting to the point where we need to decide exactly what we want and it's just been a stressful conversation to have--especially since we won't see each other for another few weeks. I graduate in May while he still has at least one more year of college, so we have some choices to make :-/

With that being said, my appetite has been pretty much nonexistent these past few days, and thus i've managed to drop like three pounds in three days. While it's definitely exciting to see those numbers on the scale (and meeting my first mini-goal!), it's hard because I know why it's happening, and also that it's not a real weight loss of three pounds.

Jamie: I completely agree with your attitude on your eating so far this weekend--As long as it doesn't happen all the time it's fine. I'm still trying to implement this into my own weight loss, and not let myself get bogged down by a bad day or eating, so congrats to you for having that healthy outlook! and good luck on your busy week ahead--sounds like the one i have too! Here's to hoping we'll make it through successfully

Riestrella: I'm so so sorry about the loss of your dog :-( I truly believe that losing animals in your life is one of the hardest things to handle, because they are so constantly there for you offering the most unconditional love. Try to remember all of the good times you with her, and that'll help you get through! And like you said, you have to remember that she is in a better place no and no longer suffering.

Also, A BIG congratulations on your weight loss!!! I know it's hard to get excited with everything else going on, but you should be SO proud of yourself for breaking through the 170's and then literally dropping through the 160's like it's the easiest thing in the world!!

Namaste: Welcome back!! It sounds like you're in a good place right now to start trying to lose weight again, with having a good support system in your new boyfriend! Although I definitely understand how him being in culinary school could be counterproductive to your goals You'll just have to make him use his culinary training for good and make you fabulous AND healthy meals!

Icon: I was studying mainly business classes when I was there, as that was all my home uni would allow me to get credit for. Auckland was amazing when i was there--I wish i had more time to explore it! But i was able to make it up twice for 2-3 days both times

sgregg: Good luck with getting through the rest of your student teaching! My boyfriend will be getting into that next semester and is already stressing about how busy his schedule will be, so I understand where you are coming from!!

Ashely: Welcome to the chat!! Congratulations on your new baby :-) Sounds like you had great progress before, so you should know you'll be able to successfully lose the weight this time around too!

Everlasting: I can only imagine how frustrating it is to want to be physically active and really jump-start your weight loss, but being held back by the healing time. I'm so sorry! Just keep in mind that you have a new beautiful little baby to enjoy and be thankful for, and know that the weight loss will come with time!! Good luck!

Sibi: Congratulations on making your way back to 3FC!! It really does wonders for accountability! I hope that joining the exercise challenge will really be the motivation you are looking for to move forward with your weight loss!

Munster: Congratulations on the 20 pound loss!! THat is HUGE!!! I can only imagine how excited you were to see that I hope you had/have a great workout with your brother-in-law this weekend-sounds like he'll be able to kick your butt!!

Hi everyone.

I'm still feeling a bit glum about my dog. The house is filled with 12 years worth of memories, so it's really hard right now. I'm trying to remember the good times, but I think it's important to grieve with sadness to move on to filling the void with happy memories.

My eating/exercising has suffered I'm afraid to say. I think I'm going to get going with a workout today, but I have my sisters baby shower and I'm meeting with my friend in the evening so it's quite a packed day. But we'll see. If I don't do one today I'm definitely doing one tomorrow. This week off will be great to get my exercise routine back in action if anything!
My dreaded period starts tomorrow too, on my week off as well! But I'm not too bothered. When I started taking the pill it was right before my last period was supposed to start, so to give too much detail it's been wanting to come out for the past 3 weeks! So perhaps I'll see another drop in my weight when it's all over?! Going to start drinking loads of water too, need to keep myself hydrated with all the crying!

My winter boots have shipped, so I'm super excited to get them. I think it's the last purchase I can make for myself before Christmas now, because I've got a lot of shopping to do for other people unfortunately! I want to get it out of the way early so I can relax during December. Really not sure what to get the boyfriend though, I want to get him a ring but it's super expensive and I'm going to be blunt here - I don't want to make a huge effort for him if he's only going to get me a DVD in return! Hah! But if it were his birthday I would, just because I have to spend a lot of money in the Christmas holidays. I hate Christmas shopping!!

Baby shower today is going to be presented with loads of food no doubt, so I'm going to try my best to be good. I find I get full a lot quicker these days, we got Chinese takeaway on Friday night and I remember I used to be able to eat my order in one night. But I had to half it and felt stuffed afterwards, so I'm happy my stomach is shrinking!

~~~

Jamie - Sending good vibes your way! You can do it, just really plan each day so it's not chaotic. I think having a busy day doesn't have to mean it's CRAZY you know? If you timetable everything then you just go do everything and cross it off. By the end of the day you'll feel super accomplished, so you won't feel like you need to snack like crazy to cope with any stress. But you're right, keep the bad food out of the house! You can do it =).
Thanks for your support hun *hug*. Just send me your email address and I'll send you an invite to Dropbox (you'll get more space that way!). It's handy for your work too, because you can access your files on any computer once they're in your dropbox folder. Hard to explain without telling you how it all works - but it's an amazing programme! I wish I knew about it at Uni!!

cmwelp - Are you and I the same person? Because I went through what you're going through right now. Maybe with some slight changes though. I'm English and my boyfriend is American. He came to England to go to my Uni (we met online at 13) and we lived together for 2 years. When I graduated, he had one year left, so we had 'the talk'. At the time he wanted to be alone to figure things out, because he knew if we carried on our relationship it would mean a lot of work because of where the future would inevitably take us, which was being so far apart. But he came to his senses and realised that he would be stupid not to try, and we've been together ever since.
It sucks, I know how hard it must be for you, but if you want to stay together you will find a way. It's all about compromising if you truly want to be together. When he still lived in England we used to travel back and forth to visit each other for a year, but now he's moved back to America and I haven't seen him since July. It's really hard at times, but I love him so I hang in there because of that. I'm seeing him in February, it would have been the longest time apart since we got together.
I hope that you work things out, but sometimes people want completely different things in life and if you don't think either of you would be happy sacrificing parts of your life for the other then it might not work out. But if you love each other then you will find a way to both be happy. Just make sure you don't give up on your own dreams for anyone.
Thanks for the support medear, you're right, I really should be proud of my achievement! Thanks again.

Wow... I haven't been here in a while. We went from weekly chats to monthly chats now?

Well. Anyways. How has everyone been??? I've been so busy lately I keep forgetting to check in. I'll fill in everything that's been going on a bit later, I've got to get off to work now!