Dawna,
One of the factors that make this lifestyle doable for me is that my family does eat pretty much the same foods as I do. They have additional food, different lunches (I don't eat bread), but dinners are pretty much the same. My son and husband have gotten used to plain foods, whole grains, stir fries, lots of salad, broccoli, cut up vegies, and brown rice. I do keep "extras" around for after school that I don't touch- tortillas and cheese, flavored yogurts, but other than that, we all eat pretty much the same food. I'd go nuts otherwise.

I guess my only suggestion is to label the foods in the fridge- not yours, mine, etc, but DINNER, LUNCH, SNACKS. If you don't want them to be battling the weight forever, they need to learn portion control too. I know, easier said than done

Mel

You weren't! It's just how your life's been and how you've been dealing with it. We're interested and we care. And, of course, we all learn from this kind of stuff about how to stay on track as well as possible. You're doing brilliantly!

Hullo and welcome all you Susans, individuals, each and every one of you.

I haven't gone to the gymn today, I'm stacking wood instead. That's the kind of thing muscles are for, isn't it? It gets me out in the fresh air and it gets rid of some of the .... connected with my work. My knee is twinging a bit so I decided this was the better thing to do. (I think it's the treadmill which sets it off - the machine sets the pace and there's no chance for my body to slow up very slightly to prevent injury. I'm giving it up as cardio.)

Good to see you all.

That sounds worth a try. And it could be useful to any of us, with children or not, who are trying to plan ahead.

Let us know how it works.

Quicky post here...

Dawna, maybe it's time they learned portion control... I have been teaching my gang the same lately... No you don't need to "supersize", just the regular cwap from Wendy's is enough, no you don't need a whole 4 scoops of ice cream, just one or two scoops is more than enough! I'm like Mel, my gang is used to the plain foods now, for supper specially. I buy their stuff for lunches and snacks too, but it is kept in the basement, I don't wanna see it at all!! I have labeled stuff for myself and them in the fridge "Mom's" "Dad's" "Grant's" "Mia's" .... it works, you only have to do it a few times... You can also explain to them that they aren't the ONLY person in the family! They'll get the hint... I even had DH talk to DS once when he kept putting foods under my nose and nothing I said made any difference...He's stopped that now...Just keep talking and leading by example... It ain't easy, but it does get easier....

Morning, gang! I’m back from cardio and stalling on the house cleaning, so here I am at the computer. I didn’t even know it was Canadian Thanksgiving yesterday until I came here – AFTER I bought a turkey to roast today! So I’m in on the turkey day too, though I think I’ll skip the other goodies until next month since I don’t have any excuse for them. I also bought more vegetables than any non-vegetarian can imagine – bags and bags of produce of every color and variety. This week I’m trying to climb out of my eating rut by keep the calories about the same but tweaking the ratios a bit – dropping the protein and raising the carbs with the addition of VEGGIES!! Mass quantities! And maybe one additional fruit serving a day? – I eat an apple a day now so I’ll try and add one more fruit. But I’m not adding more grains or bread or anything like that. Day One went pretty well – I was stuffed after dinner, even though I’d only had 1200 calories for the day. That’s unusual – typically with my calories at 1200 I’d be gnawing my arm off. I LIKE not being hungry -- for me, it's all about having a LOT of food to eat. As long as I’m tracking everything in Fitday, I’ll find out pretty fast how my body reacts to this.

So I’ve got a recipe for roast vegetable ratatouille that I’m trying today, along with baking some spaghetti squash (love it with marinara sauce), veggies to steam, veggies to crunch, and my usual mountains of salad. I guess I won’t be bored with all of this to eat!

I’m so glad to see everyone posting and doing so well. Cindy, we really missed you while you were on all your travels, so stick around for awhile, OK? I know you said you’re going to cut back on lifting this week because of starting SBD – I hope you’re not going to cut it out entirely. I did several two week sprints of no-carbs while I was losing and found that I still could lift, though at a lesser weight. So rather than going heavy, I did lower weights, higher reps. And still was able to do cardio every day. We don't want you to lose any of that pretty muscle that you worked so hard for while you’re SBDing!

Susan the Artmaker – I LOVE your avatar! About the slow lifting – we had a thread here a while ago about it that you might be interested in: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43660 Mel gives a great explanation of its pros and cons.

Tammy – how’s the vision today? That sounds pretty serious to me. Have the doctors given you any idea what’s going on?

L2L – welcome back! You just go ahead and all you want to -- we love to listen. Those weights you’re lifting just blow me away! Mel – you and L2L go right ahead and train together. I’ll watch and change the plates and fetch dumbbells. You guys are totally out of my league! on the permanent shoulder pads – my trainer always used to say that “shoulders frame the frame” and he was really big on shapely shoulders. He liked supersets of front raises, side raises, upright rows and overhead presses, all in a row (called it his “burnout” and he was right).

Ilene – you’re another one who’s been missed around here, chickie! So glad to hear you’re back in the gym and I hope it’s a good week for you.

Dawna – I agree with the others about the food advice. I know you were just kidding about buying them crap, but it really is important for us to have our food ready and there when we need it. I would be extremely unhappy if someone ate my carefully planned and prepared meal! Definitely label your stuff and make it clear that it’s off limits. I tell my gang – if you’re hungry, this, this, and this is what’s available for snacks. It’s funny though how often they end up liking my diet concoctions so I make enough for everyone. And yes, sometimes I feel like all I do is cook! It would be a lot easier to just buy frozen or premade stuff, but I don’t want to give my family something that I wouldn’t eat.

OK, I guess I can't put it off any longer, so it's bathroom cleaning time. Shoulder workout this afternoon and cooking my mountains of veggies.

Evening all, welcome to all the Susans

Been doing real well, getting adjusted to all my new exercises ... and I've been doing an absolute truckload of cardio work too been walking to/from the train station to get to work. A nice, pleasant walk and a great opportunity to get some extra exercise in!

I'm not sure I'm real qualified to say anything about the kids thing. I really only have one at home ... a large one who will be 18 on Friday.
I do have food that is MINE. There are foods that are for THEM. I do eat differently. Fortunately, they just don't like some of my things. Nobody eats tuna but me. I buy sliced chicken and turkey that they don't like. I get thicker stuff for them. I will not buy real 'baddies' mac and cheese, mr noodles, cakes and cookies. They buy their own sometimes. If you get it from Mama, it's good for you.
If my kids were little, they'd have to make do with what's in the house. I'd have more control that way and my baby probably wouldn't be so large
I also hide stuff. In the freezer, in the back fridge, in opaque containers. Most times I don't feel too guilty.

Thanks all for your replies.

I have been reading all of the different exercise and nutrition information you all provide and am so pleased that there are so many ways of doing this. I hate the "one size fits all" mentality. Some of your cardio and weight lifting, I can only dream about at this point, but I like the dreaming. I get bored so easily, it is wonderful to know that there will always be something new to learn and that I will be able to change things up to keep it fresh.

About the kids thing, I think I will simply package everything individually. Some for them, some for me. That way, they can have a portion and know exactly what a portion is. I had sauteed all of the turkey filets and stacked them in one container, planning to take one or two out each day to add to a portion of veggies. It actually makes more sense to combine as I cook, it will make it easier to grab in the mornings. I think I will label, however, so there is something left for me. And woe unto the child who eats a weeks worth of meals in one day! If they do, I guess they'll have to cook because I'm not doing it! (The kids are 14, 16 and 19, perfectly able to cook a meal if necessary).

I went to the gym this morning. I've decided to go in the morning for cardio, and then go in the evenings for strength training. Whoever said the hard core gym rats go early in the morning sure was right! The parking lot was full at 6:10 and ALL of the treadmills were in use. I had to do the bike, which is not "plugged in", so I had no way to monitor anything I was not happy with that. I did a few minutes of elliptical afterward, and ran for home and the shower. Tomorrow, I will be at the door at 6 am when they open!

My back injury seems to be completely healed. Finally. Taking about 10 days off of both cardio and strength training helped. I hated it, but it made the difference. Tonight is my first session with the trainer since then. I can hardly wait!

Catching up with everyone, I haven't checked in since last week, the three day weekend was just what I needed and wanted. Crazy day in the office, same amount of work to get done, just without the 12 hour Monday.

NELIE - you are going to love yoga, or at least I love it and find that the more I do it, (I use a class at the office and tapes at home), the better my back feels and I do really release a lot of stress. I use mostly Rodney Yee materials, as well as one calle Yoga for Weight Loss. The good tapes will have different levels so you can follow along and make progress and not get bored. I noticed another pound gone. I like your next goal for Xmas.

CINDY - Way to go on South Beach, sometimes you just have to shake up the system.

Visited my mom on Sunday, sat around and yakked the whole time, she loaded me up with books and meat sauce, though I did have some pasta to go with it, for Chris Columbus and all, also, I am surrounded by sick people in my house so I am so bored with that, I felt sorry for myself.

I did get to the gym on Saturday, which I almost never do. It was great, and empty. I got a full LBWO as well as UBWO and half way through the abs. I have started to cool down with the rowing machine set to easy peasy for 10 minutes.

This morning, I started upping the LBWO weights, I am also really focusing on form. I have more info to add to my cards as I toss out old magazines in an effort to get the clutter under control.

ARTMAKER - welcome and congrats on the grandchild, sounds like fun.

TAMMY - While your adventure sounds great the whole vision thing doesn't, seems like it needs more looking at, didn't mean the pun. I LOVE capers, saw the dinner slide. Great trip.

GRIPE ahead about Dr.s office: The nurse left a message on my office phone after I left on Friday, (outgoing message says the office is closed at noon) to call the office. So I am thinking what is up with the test results??? Turns out nothing, she was calling me to tell me nothing was wrong. I hereby give my permission to say that on an answering machine. To **** with HEPA, I don't care if the drug company calls me about my stool sample!!! Had to vent that.

L2L - Everything crossed for you and husband on job front. You keep really great progress info on your weights and reps. I am just warming up to it and find it is worthwhile, the motivation is great to see the progress.

LANAII - I have taken to scooping the ice cream in my house, though I am having SF jello instead, I love that stuff, anyway, I am using smaller bowls and really have cut down on the number of scoops. I always say they can have more and my daughter doesn't want any more and my husband thinks twice about getting more.

All this talk about turkey, I may have to smoke one this coming weekend. I actually don't really like turkey except smoked.

MEG - Have a kiwi, cute, fuzzy on the outside and packed with vitamins. No speghetti squash at the store, maybe today to go with my mom's meat sauce she sent home with us.

My MIL complimented me on Sunday, said I was looking younger, at least I think it was a compliment, hard to tell with her sometimes.

My goal this week is to get to the gym Tuesday through Friday. Only one evening meeting tonight, my condo Trust, thank goodness I destressed this morning, this one is going to be a bear.

Good morning guys!!
Happy Tuesday
Hi Artmaker (Susan); I didn't realize we had so many Susans
I tend to 'go off' sometimes on things I enjoy talking about...sorry about that...
I actually primarily lift free weights. Only occassionally do I venture over to the machines for a change of pace. Even though I'm not a very big gal. I have been lifting a long time and have a fair amount of muscle on me. I wouldn't mind putting on more shape, so I am trying to get stronger (read; more shapely) as I have said before on here, I am no longer concerned about being too muscular......


More later
XOXO
L2L

Hi all, it's hopping this week. No hope in replying to everyone's comments, but good vibes for your husband's job, L2L, hope your eye gets better, Tammy, and hi to all the new Susans! Dawna, I don't have kids, but I count myself lucky that my husband doesn't like the same food I do. I encourage him to eat better, but he's an adult, I'm not going to hold his hand through it.

Yesterday was good food-wise for me. I've been so busy the last couple of weeks I've hardly had time to sleep. The eating was ok, but mostly prepared food and not enough veggies. Last weekend I developed a one-week plan which provides some variety and makes it easy. So so far so good, with yummy salmon and roasted cauliflower last night. The local park where I like to walk has reopened during the week after being closed due to budget cuts Tuesday-Thursday, so I'm going there after work for a hike.

Portion control is something I really really have to work on and I'm a lot better about it now than I have ever been. I buy these portion controlled steaks that are lower in fat than regular steak and trimmed of all fat. The other day I did bad though, I came home from the gym, starved and decided to cook 2 steaks, 1 for then and 1 for the next day and I was too lazy to make veggies. Bad bad mistake. I was so hungry, I ended up eating both of the steaks.

Anyway, I used to have a bad habit of not being able to have leftovers, so if I cooked something, I would generally eat it even if my original intention was to save some for later. I have been able to change my habits though and now I can cook something in advance and not eat any of it. Of course there are some slipups like the other night when I was really hungry and didn't include some veggies. Of course the real reason was I wanted broccoli and I didn't have any so I didn't make any veggies, but I know I should just make something even if my preferred veggie isn't in my fridge.

I have made some improvements but obviously I'm not perfect but I'm a lot better than I used to be.

Speaking of turkey, I was at Costco yesterday and they had a whole smoked frozen turkey which looked good, but not something that could fit in my freezer at the moment. Soon enough, when turkey goes on sale, I'll buy one and cook it.

Hey gals - thanks for letting me know I was missed!

My friends and I have decided to do a "Thanksgiving Challenge" to keep us on track for the next 6 weeks, and I remembered that we'd done one here last year. Anyone else game? I need some way to keep me accountable - particularly for workouts - just can't seem to get in the swing of things. I'm using the shortened days and cold in the morning as excuses, and I need to knock it off!

So far, so good on SB - much less hungry today. Mel, funny you mentioned the almond thing - I can definitely see that happening - they are just SO yummy! I'll have to mix it up a bit to avoid that being an issue for me.

Don't know if I mentioned that when I weighed myself Sunday morning, I was shocked to see that my weight had skyrocketed to an all-time recent high! I'm happy to report that it was back down to "normal" today - guess I must have really been retaining, which is not like me... At least now I'll feel like I'm making some real progress from here on.

I was proud of myself for ignoring the "bad" food at a baby shower I attended at noon today - in addition to the lunch, many of the gals had made desserts! I improvised and ate about 6 chicken wings and a salad, then came back to my desk and had part of my lunch to fill out my meal. That was a tough one, because I'd gotten back in the habit of partaking in those things.

Interesting posts about family eating your food - sometimes I forget to be thankful for that part of being a single person - no one will eat the stuff I prep for myself, and no one will bring off-plan stuff into my house. Silver lining, as they say....
Cindy

Hi again,
I have a moment to post. I do have a hubby and two lil' kids. For the most part my kids are little and don't have an appreciation for the food I prepare for myself. My hubby has his own food that he eats pretty consistantly and we all kinda know it's his and everyone kinda knows whats mine. There is a little crossover but it hasn't been an issue 'yet'...praise the Lord...
This is where I struggle when it comes to food:eating clean consistantly. It's hard for me.....
I feel AWESOME when I do and my workouts are like "Get the H### outta my way cuz I'm comin' for that Squat Rack!" but sadly, I don't get to experience that great feeling as much as I would like. Lately, I have had some life struggles and kinda let myself eat a lot of junk as a result. I also occassionally will overeat and I want to stay on top of that as well, but the greater issue for me is more about WHAT I eat (also WHEN). It is important because I am trying to add shape to my body and it is impossible without the right fuel. I don't care if you LIVE in the freakin' Gym...it is ten times easier to make progress when you are nourishing your body appropriately for what your asking it to do. I have posted about this before on here and it isn't news to some of those who know me here, but since I am trying to get back on track I thought I would post it again. I am going to try posting my diet (Good or Bad) on here as I have found that it helps me..First I need to dig out and/or refresh my eating plan. Then I will begin posting both my workouts and Food.....
OK that's all I got.
Thanks for listening XOXO
L2L