Ubee..I was so glad to see you enjoying your new routine. I was soooo dreading my daughter going to Uni that I thought I might curl up and die....but here I am ...surviving the big streeeeeeeetch of the umbilical cord and about to get (hopefully) into a nice routine! I hope you are doing OK with Atkins? I am not sure I could cope easily with vastly reduced carb intake.......especially breakfast, which is always porridge when I am in "the zone"

Betsy.....oh carpet cleaning.....I am afraid that our dogs have "visitors" ok lets say it like it is....they have fleas. We have deflead the dogs and now have to clean carpets and bedding etc....a job I absolutely loathe!

Shan....how lovely to hear from you. Everybody has their own way of doing it don't they? I lost about 6 stone 2 years ago by eating less and doing more. When I exercise I have absolutely NO desire to overeat....something about the serotonin I guess. Of course it falls down if I can't exercise for some reason it means everything goes to pot! Good luck with your quest!

Fi.....My therapist and I have touched on how I don't "do" angry....along with a lot of other emotions and how eating is a way of not dealing with the problem but eating to avoid it instead. As for your beautiful work. It is about value. Your work has a quantitative as well as a qualitative value for others. Marketing is a way of sharing your skill and valuing your contribution to the lives of others. Don't sell yourself short.

Sam....you have done soooo well...you are bound to lose your mojo at times!
Way to go on the smaller trainers! Good footwear is so important for exercise ( I used to be a Physio) enjoy working out! We are here on good AND bad days!!

Terra....keep up with the exercise...you are doing so well!

Hooray....back to school today and embarking on my new routine. Went back to Welsh class today and was very glad I had done my homework as I haven't been for weeks. Then... gym tomorrow! Bloew me down if I didn't wake up with grumpy knees today! Am planning to ignore then if they are grumpy tomorrow and take painkillers.....ain't nothing gonna stop me!!

Ubee- it was a 30 day challenge. Day 1 was only 30 squats. It went in 4 day increments and then a rest day. The last set was a 5 day stretch with a rest on Oct 31. It was staggered so- it might go, 30, 45, 60, 40, rest in order to let your muscles build up to it. That last day of 175 was the highest number and it took me over an hour to complete them. Had to do 25 and then rest and then the next 25 and rest lol. BUT it was worth it just to say I committed to it and accomplished it!!

Good morning all. Nice to see so many posts this morning and be able to catch up with everyone. In spite of never meeting any of you in person, I would miss this group tremendously should I stop posting for some reason.

Donna -- Your posts lately have been so.......happy. They are a joy to read as you seem to be enjoying life in general. Hope the creature visitors vacate soon. I am lucky in that I haven't had a problem with fleas since I moved out here to the Northwest. Now when I lived in the South....felt like I was hosting a flea circus half the time! Hope those knees cooperate with the gym effort. I find that mine actually feel better after going to the gym -- something about keeping them moving does help them. Of course I imagine losing a couple of small people would help then, too.

Terra -- Congratulations to your mom! Sounds like this is something that she's worked hard to achieve. The day will come when you can walk with your boyfriend. But I know what you mean. I feel as though I'm missing out on so much simply because walking almost any distance is an effort.

Ubee -- How is a dental cleaning and the big squish an eating challenge? Getting up in the morning presents an eating challenge! Breathing presents an eating challenge. Until no brain waves show on an EEG, being alive will present an eating challenge. Mainly it's because I'm lazy so I scheduled the appointments for around noon so I could go to the gym without getting up in the middle of the night (you know, like around 6 AM ). That means when I head home I will be ravenous and will have to pass every fast food joint known to mankind to get back home. Now if I should stop and get one of the salads that are offered now, I'll be fine. Or, maybe I could even hold out for the 3/4 hour drive home and eat then. The dinner last night was fun, we caught up, and the menu was reasonable. My friend took home left overs, I'm taking the rest of the corn bread and some soup over to my BIL who forgot he had been invited and ate at home . Go for the challenge. Can't hurt and might help with starting a string of days on plan. Halloween candy is still in the freezer. I'll find it again in about 6 months when I need to store something down there.

Shan -- First, congratulations on seeing the scale go down and, while it may not feel like much, for not gaining a bunch during the last three months. We all hit stalls, and when they hit it is so easy to start gaining it all back. If the calorie counting and exercise isn't working alone, try watching your carbs as well. I find that if I keep my carbs below 100g/day that it will help with losing. Atkins can work very well, but it's like any diet -- there's no going back to our old way of eating. The "new" Atkins (written after his death), is much more realistic on the induction phase and provides a very gradual reintroduction of carbs into the diet until you discover your carb limit point. Then it's like everything else -- accepting that eating healthy is for our life time. Keep researching -- the more comfortable you are with whatever approach you pick, the easier it is mentally to stick with it (ok, it's not really easy, but at least we understand the science behind it!).

Fi -- Your posts always make me think. First, kudos on the honesty about the challenges of late with dieting. That's hard to do, but it feels like an immense weight off our chests when we come clean. It allows for renewal of the effort. In terms of managing your anger -- yep, emotional eating is always going to be a challenge for all of us. Learning how to face those emotions -- like what Donna is doing -- may help us get to the point where we don't stuff food in our mouths to assuage our feelings. In terms of marketing your work. I tend to separate the "marketing" of art, literature, music from commercial products. OK, yes, the selling of The Best of Motown for $19.95 is crass marketing, but offering your collages in various formats via your websites seems to be on a different plane. Maybe I'm rationalizing, but if it's a deal breaker for you maybe just creating the site and displaying your work there is enough. Or identify a charity or charities and donate some or all of the profits. You are such a creative person in so many ways.

Sam -- Glad to see you back posting. Your idea of having a set weight loss goal by a set date strikes me as such a great idea. Even if it's not right at the 100 pound point, you've worked miracles. Adding in the deadline date would seem to help with staying focused. Congrats on the new shoe size -- wish my feet would get back to my old size 10!

I've rambled on more than usual today (the problem with being a speed typist!). I've got the second load of laundry in the washer, need to call a friend, and then off to the gym. Going to pot the geraniums for overwintering this afternoon. The kitchen is all cleaned up from having company last night, so I'm on a roll. Hope everyone has a great day!

Good afternoon ladies! I can't believe we're on page 2 of this forum and day 3 of November already!! Every time I stop to catch my breath another month has flown by.. Today we got our first real snow (had a few flurries a couple different times but melted as soon as they touched the ground.) I would guess we had about 2 inches.. it is taking its sweet time to melt off the yard and roof but thankfully the roads are cleared up. I always look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas.. but not the weather that comes with those holidays. Oh well!

I'm a little embarrassed to say I have done nothing yet in my weight loss plans.. I'm not sure when I will be able to join the rec center but it has to happen this year.. I found out that there is a conference my husband wants us to go to in January and that means I'll have to fly.. I'm so scared! Not of flying.. but of fitting in the seat.. It has been almost 10 years since I've been on an airplane (no place to go, really) and I have seen and heard and read so many stories of people being treated rudely by airline employees and being asked loudly to purchase another seat.. I know.. I'm a bit drama queen about this. Sorry!!

Ubee, without a doubt, my favorite place to live was Brazil, where I grew up.. but if you meant here in the US, I would have to say probably Wyoming, where I am now. I love the open spaces and the mountains.. It kind of stinks having to drive 1.5 hrs to get to a Super Walmart, but that's ok..

Well, time to start thinking of what to get ready for supper.. Hope you all have a great night!

Checking in before bed...

Went on a walk on the beach to clear my head...my sister in law gave birth to my nephew today who died several hours afterwards. She went in for a C Section and the water broke and the baby got stuck in her ribcage. Once they got him out he couldn't breathe but they were able to bring him back. My other sister in law said he was doing fine for a few hours after that then he stopped breathing again...I'm at a loss for words and can only imagine what she's going through. DH and I are going up to the hospital tomorrow after I get off work since his mom said it was better to come up tomorrow and be there for her.

I've been able to stay on plan and am logging my food in MFP...I think it's really helping me stay accountable.

Gonna miss my scheduled gym day tomorrow since we have to go to the hospital but I'm gonna make up for it the rest of the week. Maybe I'll actually do 6 days this week instead of 5!!

Fi Thank you for your concern but I'm alright. I'm still enthusiastic about my journey I just have been lazy when it comes to posting. Days will go by and its not even a thought in my head then one day I realize I haven't posted. I wish I had a better exuse but I don't lol...I do need to be better about posting though

I've contemplated hiding the scale after my weigh in on 11/16 and not bring it back out until that time in December...I hate admitting the scale runs my life but sometimes I feel like it does. I have gotten in the habbit lf weighing almost every day. For some people I guess it's ok but that isn't like me to weigh more than once a week. And even when I don't lose as much as I'd like and I still lose inches I'm getting discouraged because the scale isn't going down as fast as it once was....heck Fi maybe that's what's wrong with me!!! I'm still here for the long haul I just need to revamp myself...maybe I can begin to work on that this week...

Anyway, hope you all had a good day!! Stay strong everyone we can and will do this!

Good Morning!
Sam I am so sorry for your tragic loss. Sending you a big hug.
That scale is a bugger. I go back and forth between daily and weekly. I use different approaches for my state of mind.
Bllondy I think just posting and reading is doing something for your weight loss plans. I lurked for months before I got my butt in gear. I feel this is a big head game so we have to get things started up there first.
Betsy we have been over this before, we are not lazy. We are organized and good at conserving energy! Let me know how your trips past temptation alley go. Maybe take some cheese or something along to tide you over until you get home. Remember "hunger is not an emergency."
Anticake don't be so humble. What you did was amazing! If I did that I would take out a full page ad. Are you starting any new challenges?
Donna I agree with Betsy that you do sound so positive in life. Keep that good energy going! I don't think many of us in the 300+ do emotions well.
Terra I don't like to be rushed when I shop either. If I am some crazy stuff gets tossed in the cart and I end up having to go back for what I forgot.

I am up way too early this morning! My daughter got up at 3:30. She has been having trouble lately. I am hoping it is just the change in the seasons. Meals are planned for today. I really need to get exercising.
Have a peaceful day.

Hello my wonderful chicken friends! Well....I finally did it! Faced the induction at the gym and survived! Our local Council run leisure centre is quite wonderful. We swim there a lot so I know most of the staff. Of course they all look like they should be in Infant school to me but I guess that is just an age thing. I told the (very) young lad that I had been a Physio and bless him all he did was show me how to use the computerised widget that tracks your activity on each machine and let me get on with it ...which was perfect!!

There is a slight downside to this though. I found out quite how restricted the movement is in my left knee...I couldn't use an ordinary static bike as my knee just wouldn't bend enough. THAT was a bit of a shock. With the gym and swimming I know it will get better though.

I am planning on going once more this week and swimming on Thursday to avoid any backlash from grumpy knee but my routine will be three times a week...I hope.

Get this though. Monthly family membership....me, squirt and hubby is £31...full use of gym, pool and classes. I am not sure how much that is in US dollars but believe me....it ain't much in £'s!!

Thank you for commenting on the positive vibe in my posts......I think my therapy is helping that side of things!

Have a great day....sorry no personals today except for Sam.......I am so very sorry for your loss my lovely. What a tragedy for your family. Thinking of you.

Betsy ~ Yeah she has been working hard to get the chance to become a GM. I'm glad you can relate when it comes to walking long distances.

Ubee ~ Thats good that you dont being rushed either when your shopping. We are going shopping after 2 pm today. I love shopping.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scott and I woke up around 5:00 this morning. Its now 6:30. Scott and I both have an appt. today but luckily its at the same place. We will get home around 10:30 or 11 this morning and then at 2:20 today we will go shopping and then at 4 pm we will go out to dinner. I dont know if we're gonna have Chipotle or The Chinese buffet but we will have both this month, I just dont know which one we will have today. Anyway I'm gonna go for my after dinner walk tonight and thats all of my plans for today. As always I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Sam, I know I haven't introduced myself yet, but I wanted to say how sorry I am for the loss of your nephew. I can't imagine what your family is feeling or thinking during this time but I'm praying for you guys. (On a quick side note, hi. I just joined 3FC at the end of last month. I have been warmly welcomed here and very encouraged already!)

Donna, congrats on joining the gym!! You've inspired me to get a move on it.. I realized I'm using my husband as an excuse to put off joining.. I keep thinking I can't do it on my own, that I need him there.. But the fact is, I absolutely can do it on my own. He will join when he is able and by then, maybe I'll be into a nice cardio routine and ready to add on weights (which is my absolute favorite part of any workout!!). I know how to use a treadmill and bike, so if there's any equipment I'm unsure of, I also know how to ask questions! Hahaha..

Terra, Chinese and Chipotle both sound really good.. I can't allow myself a Chinese buffet just now because I usually load up on the egg rolls and cream cheese wantons.. lol.. I think my journey is going to be about self-control. Always.

Ubee, sorry about your daughter. Hope she gets back into the swing of things soon. I am always confused when the time changes, personally.. I always think when it's dark, it's time for bed.. even if it's only 6 PM! lol..

Betsy, I agree with what you said at the beginning of your post.. the part about missing this group if you stopped posting for whatever reason. I only just joined but already look forward to checking in and seeing how things are going with everyone. I look forward to reading your victories and sympathize with the failures. We all have something major in common and I believe that draws us together in a way others may not understand. Or at least that's what I think. Anyway, I am beyond excited to get my own little weight loss tracker to give me a fun visual of the work I'm doing.

Everyone, have a blessed day and lots of success in your endeavors!

And just because I think these are hilarious, here's a bunch of dancing carrots:

Ubee- I sure am! November to Remember is what I'm calling it! lol Nov 1 started a hybrid of a couple of challenges- Easy push up (starts with just 3 and adds 1 a day through 30 days), plank (started with 20 seconds, goes up to 3 minutes on day 30), lunges (starts with just 20- 10 on each side and builds up to 120 on day 30) but that will give me a good full body work out in the mornings, and then cardio at night (walking 2-3 miles). It's the only way I can simplify it- challenge in the morning- that is set, there's a calendar by the bed, check it off, on with my day and then the park at night with my kiddo. No guessing, no thinking, just get it done and out of the way.

When October started, I wanted to lost 10 # in October and 10# in November… I lost 17# in October lol, so I am rethinking my November goal. (Originally, I wanted to be at 306 by Nov 30, but I'm at 308.4 already) Thinking my November goal will be to get UNDER 300!!! I haven't been under 300# in 10 years!!! And then off to Disney World in December with my little guy. (It's an annual family tradition, but this year it's just me and him!)

I have a challenge picked out for December already too- and will be sticking to it, EVEN at Disney World because fat doesn't take a vacation, so neither should my exercise lol.

Anticakechick, I just had a lightbulb moment there... You are absolutely correct.. fat does not take a vacation and I shouldn't give myself an excuse to quick working out.. This evening, I am going to go clean the church and I am going to make myself go up and down the stairs as many times as I can handle while still being able to do all the cleaning that needs to be done. Thanks for the motivation and insight there.. glad I checked back in before starting my day officially.

Good morning all. So many great posts this morning with so many insights providing help with thinking through so many issues that this effort raises.

Bllondy -- I respectively disagree with you that you have done nothing towards your weight loss plans -- you joined this group. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and I've decided that it's like building a house in that a solid foundation is required. Experimenting, learning, identifying issues that keep us from success are as much a part of this journey as counting the calories. And finding a support group is part of it, too. At your height and weight, you'll probably be ok on the airplane. Ask your husband if he'd be willing to sit in the middle seat so that you can have the aisle or the window. Love the dancing carrots......the your sense of humor that lets you enjoy them.

Sam -- I'm so sorry for what you and your family are going through with the loss of the baby. Please be kind to yourself these next few days -- you've already gone through an emotional upheaval recently.

Ubee -- Oh, you do tickle my funny bone. Organized and good at conserving energy! So much nicer than lazy. I ended up eating breakfast this morning and that will power me through until I get home. Sorry your daughter is having some issues right now, but kudos on going ahead with meal planning.

Donna -- Hurray on getting through gym induction! I did the conversion, and it's $50/month in US dollars which is definitely a great deal for the whole family and with great facilities. I have the same problem on the stationary bike -- can't get my one knee to bend far enough to go around. I'm hoping that when I have less tummy in the way that maybe that will help.

Terra -- Sounds like a busy day. Enjoy your dinner out.

Anticakechick -- Let me see if I understand this concept. You're revising goals because you're meeting them way early? That must feel so wonderful. My revisions are usually going in the other direction. The trip to Disney World will give you your cardio with all the walking around there. Seriously, congrats on getting off to such a wonderful start.

No gym today, but I've got things planned for this afternoon after I get back from the dentist. Hope everyone has a great day.

I am alive sorry guys preoccupied and keep forgetting to check in.

Bllondy- You are most welcome! I had that lighbulb moment myself when I was planning our meal reservations for Disney. All the foods look so good and it's vacation right??? Well, yes and I do plan to indulge BUT I can't let myself get carried away and undo all the hard work I've done and that's when it hit me. Fat doesn't take a vacation, so why should I let myself go all Timpleton from Charlotte's Web for a week? I shouldn't. I don't have to be CRAZY- I can and will enjoy myself and the treats and everything else but- I will do so in moderation- split it with my son instead of one for each of us- and be sure I get my cardio (from the walking) and resistance (light just to keep the muscles good while I'm gone) and hopefully mitigate whatever damage I do with Dole Whips and School Breads! lol

Betsy- I've done plenty of that myself! Last year I tried to do the weight loss thing and a 10 pound goal would only result in a 3# loss lol. In my book though, a loss is still a loss, a break even is still better than going back to 346# so either one makes me happy. I keep tempering my enthusiasm though by reminding myself it won't always fall off so fast- eventually it will plateau for more than a week and I will have to deal with that. But still- that 299# is just dangling JUST out of reach like a cheeseburger on a string and I want it so.. I chase it lol.

Anticakechick, oh my gosh.. I busted out laughing at your reference to Templeton from Charlotte's web.. I'm probably going to have his little song stuck in my head for the rest of the night but that's all good.. It cracks me up. I totally get what you mean by it. I always feel like it's vacation (or whatever the special circumstance may be) and I can just relax.. the fact is, at least for me, I can't "just relax" in my eating because that always means "just go nuts" for me.. I totally bombed today.. I bought those stupid frozen pizzas because I just didn't want to cook anything today.. and then if that wasn't enough I bought sugar cookies too.. Normally I don't crave sweet stuff but yay female hormones.. I'm craving it this week. Anyway, I bombed today big time and I think I'll be jogging up and down the stairs tonight while I clean to try to end my day well.. I know I'll sleep well if I do that.

Betsy you are absolutely correct.. This forum is my first step toward getting healthier. Just being on here and chatting back and forth with you ladies makes me want to go out and run (haha!) around the block.. I don't think I'd make more than a few steps but the fact that I'm so excited that I would actually want to run is amazing. I know when I hit my plateaus I can sign in and reach out to you all and that you'll know exactly what it feels like and have great ideas to share.