Good Thursday Morning!!!
Yesterday was crazy , it was one of those days where I felt like I was running around with my head cut off or turned backwards. I think today is going to be a little calmer. I ate okay yesterday but not as great as I would like to, however I went grocery shopping yesterday and that always helps to eat better I can pile up on the produce.

I still haven't been able to exercise, I've honestly tried and tried to figure out when I can put it in my day. All of you sahm seem to be able to and I can't figure it out. Does anyone have 3 kids, and homeschool and is still able to exercise, please tell me if so. Alot of you take your older kids to school which leaves some time open or you only have 1 little one and I can see how you can exercise I did when I only had one, but I can't figure it out.
I mean, my 16 month old son still wakes up 2 to 4 times a night. Most of the time he won't go back to sleep so he and I have to lay on the couch and we both pass out there. See we only have a 2 bedroom house and my daughters are in one room and my son shares a room with me and my husband, so when he wakes up crying I have to deal with him quickly so he doesn't wake everyone else up. So all that said I can't find the time to exercise. However, the time is changing this weekend which means it's going to stay lighter later and I'm hoping I can have my husband watch my son while I go outdoors and exercise at least 3 days a week, maybe the other days I can manage something indoors. I'll let y'all know how that pans out.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.
BTW, down 3# in less than a week w/o exercise. Not sure how that happened but I'll take it.

I hope everyone had an on plan day yesterday.

Hi all! Ya'll are doing great. My name is Mary and I am a SAHM of 2 boys; 10yrs and 2yrs. I have been married for 13 yrs. I am 157lbs and want to get between 110-120. I don't really know what my ideal weight is, but I'm 5ft so I figure thats a reasonable goal.
Right now I'm doing the Body for Life and the Eating for Life. I don't really have a problem losing the weight. Its sticking to a plan and then I usually regain it. But I recently started weight training and its adddicting! I actually look forward to going to the gym.
Anyway, I gotta go. My 2yr old wants to get on the bus with my 10yr old. He has been sick the last couple of days and he is desparate to go somewhere.
Talk to ya later.

Penny - Way to get it off. Did you start the South Beach? I am lost in all of the threads. I think I am going to have to get some more structured plan.

Candy - What program do you use at work? Ours is Medisoft, I guess you have it on your computer at home so you can do the billing. Are you doing any on-line billing for the office? We will have to get together so I can pick your brain. I don't know how long they will need me, but I was thinking of doing some on-line billing on the side. Psych is not as complicated, we only have about 10 procedure codes they use. I will just see how this works. I am enjoying being back. It seems like they appreciate me more since I left.

Ginny - How neat, lunch with the kids? Do all mothers come or just you? How does that work? I can not imagine JW in high school. Do they date yet?

Crystal - Good for you on the weight loss! Your exercise is probably running around with the kids.

WOW, ladies! How many do we know have on board. Hello all, I am still trying to caught up with the threads.

Welcome Mary!

I'm Andrea a SAHM of 2 boys Andrew 6 and Alex 2. I'm 5'4 wiegh 157 and am trying to get to 125. I've been doing weight watchers at home. I have lost 13lbs so far. We are here to help you out in any way. If you need to vent or need support. I'm curious about you diet. What kinds of foods to you eat? Whats the general plan like? Anyway, good luck and congrats on the weight you've already lost!

Welcome to the other newbies out there! It's been a couple of days since I've been able to get on and I've missed a lot!

Dh left early yest. morning and will be back home late Sat. night or early Sun. morn. I'm going to try and get housework done today and paint the boys room too. Yeah right! I know I won't get all of that done!!! LOL!! Maybe I can't at least get a start on it. Well, I hope all of you have a great day and I'm sorry I'm not getting personal now... to tired this morning and to much to do! I'll take a break later and jump on again!

Good morning all!!
Wow! Look at all the posts this morning! Everyone seems off to a great start today.

Andrea, what color are you painting the boys room?? I've been working on my house since yesterday evening since I haven't done much all weekend. But it seems things go more smoothly once DH leaves. Are you used to DH being gone now?
Melinda, don't feel bad about trying to get everyone straight here on the thread! I've been here 2 years and I'm lost half the time too! And 5/7 days for exercise is great! You sound like you have everything under control!
Welcome Mary! I am Spryng, mother of 3, Ava-4, Joseph 3, and Tanner 9 months. I think 110-120 is a great weight for your height, once you get closer you'll be able to gauge it more to your needs. I am 5'4 and my personal goal is 120, which is at the low end of my range. I can go down to 116 lbs though and still be considered in a healthy weight range. I'm curious about Body For Life too, is it low fat? Low carb? How long have you been on it? and I know what you mean about regaining once you lose the weight. I'm currently on weight watchers (doing it on my own at home) and I think I finally found a plan I can make into a lifestyle so once I hit my goal weight I can maintain it forever instead of gaining it all back. I can't wait to start trying But welcome to our thread and I hope you feel right at home here, I look forward to getting to know you better!
Crystal, you can still get in some exercise. I have 3 kids who are with me 24/7 and I can get in some exercise everyday (if I wasn't so lazy, lol) maybe you can get up a little earlier and get in 10 to 20 min or after the kids go to bed get in some. I do the after bed one. My youngest is in my room too still and he sleeps all night because when he was younger we did the crying it out thing and within 2 nights he stayed alseep. Can you try that?? But if you can't get structured exercise in then maybe try getting outside and playing with them or parking further away from the grocery store or whatever to get some walking in. If you are watching tv grab your dumbells and use them for awhile. Any little thing helps. But congrats on the 3# gone!!! You are doing something right. You know some women lose weight with out ever exercising. You just have to find what works for you. When Dh was home everyday he would watch them for 30 minutes in the evening while I went for a long walk. It felt nice. So maybe you can work something out with your dh to do something like that. Hope I was some help.
Penny, congrats on the 1.5# loss!!!! That is so great!! South beach must be working for you now. Are you adapting to it a little better now?
Ginny, that is so sweet that you will eat lunch with your kids today. Enjoy them! And have a great day!!
Geri, when is your sewing machine suppose to get there? I'm sure you are excited! I love getting things in the mail.

Well I was going to stay home today and just piddle around the house. But dh might be home early tomorrow so I think I may go to joplin today to buy some new jeans and a cute top to wear on saturday. But I'm not sure. I stayed up late last night cleaning my kitchen floor. What a mess. We made cupcakes the day before yesterday and Tanner had made a mess with his. So I swept and mopped it before I went to bed. All I have to do today is little things and then the house is done! I still have energy today so maybe I'll put it to good use. Well my WI is tomorrow and I hope I've lost those 2#'s I gained last week. I really needed to because I know this weekend I won't be tracking pts. But I won't know until tomorrow. Ok, I'm getting off here now! Have a great day!

I'm back just for a minute.

Hi Andrea, I'm not sure if we've met or not.

Welcome Mary, hope you stick around and hope we can all help you.

You girls are making me feel bad. I'm only 5'3" and my goal was 145. I'm a fairly larger frame and the doc said that's what she would like to see me at. But the books say I should weigh between 118 and 132. I haven't weighed that since I was a freshmand and sophomore in high school. When I get to 145 I may need to add another goal. Let's just accomplish one at a time.

Spryng - Thanks for your sugguestions. About my son, crying it out, tried that. He has asthma and it's harder on him at night and I think that is the main reason he doesn't sleep well. And getting up early, I usually get up between 5:00 and 5:30. But here lately my son has been doing worse at night and I don't get up until around 6 am and he's up with me and I can't exercise while he's up. I'm gonna try to work it out with my husband to watch the kids for about 30 minutes in the evening when he gets home and I'll get outside to exercise, it may only work about 3 days a week, but that's better than nothing. You are doing great with your 3 small kids and still able to exercise. WTG.

I hope all of you girls the best.

Good morning!

Got the 3 mi walk in again this morning. Crystal...I'm usually stopping to run and break up a fight between the boys and sometimes I have to pause my dvd to pick Tony up because Will caused him some pain or something, but I can usually make it through. It takes about 45 minutes so I'm surprised at just how much they let me do it. Tony's 10.5 months and Will's almost 3. Hopefully your Dh will help you out at least 3 days a week. He will if he wants you to lose the weight My Dh does it for me when I ask him.
As for crying at night, luckily Tony doesn't have asthma so I can't relate to that, but we finally decided to let him cry himself to sleep because I wasn't getting any sleep. We have the boys share a room and I was afraid he would wake up Will, but it only took a couple of days and he's not too bad anymore...once in a while he wakes up for the nuk, but falls right back to sleep now. Good luck with that!!

Andrea, good luck with the painting! I need to do more of that but there are so many other projects to do!! I should really concentrate on the inside stuff before it gets too nice out!

Spryng, give me some of that cleaning energy!! I'm going grocery shopping today and really need to empty the fridge out first and clean all of the shelves (YUK!) Where does all that stuff come from???? My machine is supposed to be here tomorrow (estimate from fed ex) so we'll see. I got the craft area of the room cleaned up but I have a bunch of craft boxes in the other storage area to go through yet. Some will be tossed and some will be put in the rummage.

Melinda, glad the job's working out for you! Staying busy is one way not to munch...if you can plan your meals in advance. Isn't it amazing how much you're missed when you're not there?? Now they know how much you're needed!

Penny, congrats on the WI!! Do you have to start all over with the first 2 weeks again since you were off plan for awhile? What kinds of carbs/fruits can you add back in during phase 2? It's been awhile since I read the book.

Welcome Mary!! Please feel free to post anytime! We love to talk here. This thread's really been hopping lately.

Well, Tony calls again. Hi to everyone I missed!!! Ginny have a great lunch! Is this put on by the school or what?

Have a great OP day and I'll talk to you later.

HI LADIES!

I AM GOING TO JUMP IN THE SHOWER REAL QUICK WHILE ANDREW IS DOWN FOR HIS NAP!

JUST WANTED TO ADDRESS CRYSTAL QUICKLY:

I HAVE THREE BOYS, 4 1/2, 3 1/2, AND 9 1/2 MONTHS, SO I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT NO TIME!

I have exercised since I got pregnant with the first one. I used to go to the gym before the last one came along. They would go to the daycare there for one hour but now I stay at home and exercise.

Now Hunter is in a Pre-K program so I only have the two at home until 2:30.

Anyhow, I drop Hunter off at school and then we head to the park. I walk, push Andrew in the stroller and Nicholas rides his bike. WE usually go two miles (one day, Nicholas was tired ) and then I let him play. It has been working out well.

On the days we don't go to the park I have been getting up at 5:00 or 5:30 and do an exercise tape in the living room. Andrew usually gets up shortly after.

I have even put Nicholas on the computer playing a game and put Andrew in the highchair with some cherrios in front of me and did a tape then.

Like Spryng said,
Start small.
Park further.
Do the dumbells.


I always find that if I don't do any exercise for the day, I always do 20 crunches and 20 leg lifts right before I get into bed.

Hope this helps!!!

There is always time, you just gotta find it! You have to put yourself first sometimes and do something that makes you happy. (Easier said than done, I know )

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.
Crystal, I'm not sure what weight I will end up as. Whatever feels comfortable. If I have to develop an eating disorder to be 110 then forget it. Thats what i was at 24 when I started gaining all this weight. I know before my son was born 3.5 yrs ago I got down to 130 and felt great. After 160,170 & 180 I was thrilled. I stayed 130 till I got pregnant. At that point I was happy with my weight. So I think if you are happy and healthy who cares what the scales say. Ha! If only. Listen to me. Do as I say not as I do.

Anyway, the body for life is basically eating 6x a day. Although I can't seem to get past that 5th meal. You eat a serving of protein and a serving of carbs at every meal and vegetables 2x a day. Most substitute a protein shake w/ fruit or something for 2 or 3 meals since it is a lot of meals. Its low fat but not low carb. He likes whole wheat products and pasta sometimes but no sugar. He recommends getting some good fats like olive oil or nuts daily. Its ok but he doesn't count calories just portions. As in measuring or as big as your fist. Sometimes I feel like I'm eating too much, though.

I am curious about WW. How can I find out how to do the plan w/o joining? I like a lot of body for life principles but I'm thinking of modofying it.

I went shopping with my Mom today and she took my 2yr old and I to KFC. I had a baked chicken breast and a serving of rice w/ no gravy. I was doing good till my son came over with a choc chip cookie. I took a bite and it was so good. I ate 4 of them. But I won't beat myself up about it. Its 4 oclock and I've only had 900 calories so far today, so if I don't go over 1700 today I'll be happy. As u can see I'm still counting calories. Its a hard habit to break. Thats why I think I would like WW. U seem to be able to incorporate sweets into your daily allowance.

Look forward to talking to ya'll

Hi everybody! I just got home from subbing - my old principal asked me to teach a first grade class today. I packed a salad and some fruit, so I managed to stick on the diet. DH left today for his seminar...will be back late Sunday.

Mary - Welome! I am familiar with the BFL program. I was doing the program before I got pregant a few years ago. It was hard for me because I don't like meat very much, but I liked the exercise program. I've also tried WW wich does give you a lot more freedom to chose foods you like - incorporating sweets in moderation if your daily points allow it.

Spryng - I didn't end up having anything at Mcdonalds because I was wise enough to eat before I took the girls out! That helped a lot. Hope you found a cure new outfit and your WI goes well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Penny - Congrats on your weight loss!

Andrea - Hi! Good luck on the housekeeping and painting job. What color do you plan to use?

I'm sorry this isn't longer, but I have to throw dinner together and get ready for the student I tutor. I'm still having a hard time keeping names straight too - I know I'll catch on, just bear with me!

Oh my gosh! There is no way to keep up with all these posts, at least not today. Tomorrow will be easier, I am bidding on a table on Ebay tomorrow nite and will be hanging out here for a while.......
So, I am just going to say hi quickly and make a few comments.
Welcome Mary!!!!!! Glad to meet you here and I hope to get to know you better- I am a pseudo stay at home mom- I drive a school bus, so at least summers, vacations etc....I am one!! These ladies are great......as I am sure you will find out too.

Crystal- I think this was your question about working out. My Ds was an AWFUL sleeper, and my life sounded much like yours does now. Excercise does not have to be a 45 minute marathon.....(even though you might like it to be!) 10 minutes of dancing around the house (can your kids last that long?) several times a day counts too!!!! Weight watchers would count it! You might have to try something like that. Even going for walks - kids in a stroller, bigger ones on a trike count. I know it is tough......and yes a wee bit easier when they are in school. But I do remember (and so do my oldest) the days that Dd (17) would workout with me and a tape, with Ds in the playpen trashing stuff (which was what he did best!)
Penny- congrats on the weight loss!!!! Spryng, Geri, Andrea.......hope I did not miss anyone......Hi!!!
Lunch went well, Dd seemed happy to see me, Ds, well he is just too cool, if you know what I mean! But even he seemed a bit happy to see me.....in his own way. Once they get into HS it is so tough to be a part of their days.....so I do enjoy this. Even though the man I was helping out with broke the lid to my crockpot!!!!!! (urge to strangle- I use my crockpot so much). Oh well, tomorrow when I have time, I will check out the Hamilton Beech web site and see if they sell a replacement.......I am sure it is available.
Gotta go get dinner on. Have a great nite.
Ginny

Ginny - Sorry about the crockpot. The lid probably cost more than buying a new one. Doesn't that always happen. We had crock pot stew last night. I used london broil so that it would be lower fat and it is really tough, but the crock pot made it so tender.

Mary - We have a Body for Life program at our gym? Do you go every week or something? I thought there was a book out there named that as well. I actually enjoy my workouts as well. I really like the aerobics class,but it is sometimes hard to get JW up and out of the house that early. He is 7 months. I do the precor when I am not doing aerobics. I need to get a program on the weights. I can meet with a trainer free at the gym for 3 visits, but I am weird about that. One of those things. Welcome.

Crystal - It is whatever weight you feel good at. 145 is my comfort zone and I am only 5'4. Have a long way to go!

Spryng - Buy yourself a cute outfit. I was going to buy JW something for Easter and I look in his closet first. I realized he has enough things for the spring already, so I am just looking for an easter hat for him that does not look to sissy.

I was at chat today, I guess it was beautiful outside for all. JW slept 5 hours today, so we did not get out until 500pm.

Happy TV Night!

Melinda

Hi all

Boy this is getting tough to keep up with I'll do my best! Tony's down for the night and Will's down here playing without his baby brother knocking down everything he builds up. It's almost peaceful

Candy, looks like ER might be a new one finally! I could be wrong though.

Melinda, we went grocery shopping this afternoon then outside for a little while once we got home...not exactly beautiful...maybe 40's but the sun was out so we had to go out for a little while. JW slept 5 hours? Your Mom must be wearing him out.

Ginny, glad you enjoyed the lunch with your kids. Ds is too cool...funny how they get that way hey? I agree with Melinda, the lid to the crockpot may cost more than a new one!

Firefli10...sorry I don't remember your real name ...how often do you sub? Good that you could stay OP at work. Sometimes it's easier if you aren't home..as long as you plan ahead.

Spryng, enjoy the weekend with Dh! Have you decided what you will do while in KC? Well, other than the obvious !!
BTW, I got my new Cooking Light today and I won't be making the macadamia pesto thingy!!! We had the WW Curry Shrimp again tonight...YUMMY.

Well, I have some more work to do around here. The kitchen floor needs mopping, I have more junk to go through, and I want to watch ER so I best get going.

Everyone who has WI tomorrow...can't wait to see the progress!

Have a great night and a hello to everyone I didn't personally address!

Good evening all!
So many posts to reply to!

Geri, how do you like the cookinglight magazine? I just love mine! And yes, steer clear of that macadamia nut pesto unless you like to chew on leaves, then it's for you! lol. And I think we have a good idea what we will do in KC, we are going to eat at Joe's Crab Shack, watch a matinee (sp?) and then head over to the Isle of Capri or Americasino casinos to check it out. I've never been in or near a casino before so I thought we'd check out the shows and all that and just enjoy the atmosphere. I didn't realize casino's have more to offer than gambling, pretty neat! But we will play it all by ear.
Melinda, sorry I was not at chat today, I ended up taking a nap. For some reason I just drag all morning and then after dinner my energy picks up and I'm rearing to go. Maybe I should look into some energy herbs or something for the mornings.
Ginny, what kind of table are you bidding on?? I've never even thought to look at furniture there, wouldn't the shipping be high?? That is one thing I hate about ebay, shipping can kill the deal for me. Sometimes it cheaper to buy it brand new at a store. But I have found good deals in the past. And sorry about your crockpot! I use mine alot too so I would be upset if it got broken. I hope you can get a replacement lid.
Firelfi10 (cindy right?) that was great that you ate before going to mcD's. That's thinking ahead!
Mary, body for life sounds really nice! And about WW, well they will be doing an open house soon so maybe you can go to that meeting and find out the gist of the program. It would take me awhile to write it all down here. But I will see what I can do for you next week ok? After the weekend is over I'll have more time to explain it all in depth. Did you get that new boneless chicken breat fillet? I've been wanting to try that but I can't find the nutritional values for it yet. So I have no clue how many pts it is.
Penny, I hope you had a great day! And you are right about the exercise, you have to make the time for it. Because if we look at our busy schedules we'll see we never have anytime so sometimes we have to make the time anyway. We are worth it, I just wish I would do it. lol.
Crystal, don't feel bad about your goal weight. Get to 145 and see how you look when you get there. You may have more muscle mass than the rest of us so will look great at 145! But 145 is a healthy weight for being 5'4" so don't worry about it until you get there and then you'll know if you want to lose more or stay put
Well, what did everyone end up making for dinner tonight? I made soft tacos with boca crumbles. They were very good and filling. The kids ate all of their too plus some! They had quite an appetite today for some reason. Maybe it's a growth spurt. I didn't go to joplin today. Just stuck around the house. I didn't even go tanning. But I will tomorrow. Also I was roped into watching DH's neice tomorrow, she's 1 1/2 and a holy terror. Cries constantly over everything. But only until 1 pm thankfully. Then after 1 pm I'll go shopping to buy an outfit for this weekend. I'm hoping DH is home by then so he can go with me to wrestle the kids. But if not I'll take them and go by myself. So if I'm frazzled by tomorrow night you'll know it's because I had to take care of 4 kids!!!! But maybe it will be ok. You never know. Well I got my shower in tonight and I'm all shaved and clean now, doesn't that always feel good? And I painted my nails and toenails so I guess I am officially ready for my anniversary!!!! I'm so excited for saturday to get here. We haven't did anything for our anniversary in 4 years now so this means alot to me. Well, I need to get in bed. TTYL!

Oh I just checked the status of my order on QVC and they said it was shipped today!! It said it should be here monday!! I'm so excited!! Anyone want to start a new exercise challenge??? I'm so happy right now! G'nite!