You know what? Screw the snots! Do what's best for you, what offers you the most variety and bang for the buck. Some of the skinny folks may surprise you and end up being great work out buddies. You might make friends! Don't get caught in the mindset that all skinny people deplore overweight people and look down on them. If you go there and give it your all, attitudes can change - both theirs and yours. Go for it!

That is so true Gardenwife...plus my husband can go there with me. The other places are women only gyms. Another bad thing is that it gets VERY crowded there...you have to wait in line for machines. So, maybe if I went straight after work I could beat the crowd. Either way, I will find something that I enjoy!

hey Aimee...I hear ya...u know, my best friend & I were just talking about the very same thing...When we were in HS our parents, families, you name it made us both feel fat, and, when I look back on that now, I could kill them for it. We were far from fat back then, both of us being tall, in HS I was over 5'11, and wore size 12/14//She was 5'9 and wore the same. And yet everyone made us feel like we were huge. I would love to be in that size now, and would dare someone to call me fat...That is just wrong, and does nothing for ego. We are all different, and what may look like fat on one size 12 looks perfect on another. Keep up the good work!

I did not know that, ty..I doubt I qualify though, My husband makes a lot of money, to be honest, so that would probably disqualfy me. I am on my own as far as joining any place goes...So, until I start making money at my craft business, lol, the 95 bucks a month will not work, lol...I enjoy walking, and if I keep it up, I will be okay with that, and I plan to start using my bike this Summer too, and going on some hikes. I hopefully will be in good enough shape to snow shoe next winter...That seems like it could be fun...I wil look into the Y though, TY for leting me know about that... Here is to a cup of joe with you!!

Diana - I would definitely kill to be a size 4 again! I hate that people made me feel fat for being that "large"! My mom was always great with the weight thing, she is overweight and really focused on eating healthy and exercising. I was in track, and ran long distance runs, and I was also on the swim team.. which was definitely demanding in regards to time, we spent like 4 hours a day training.

I am being SO bad today.. I can't even believe it! I'm addicted to my scale, if I'm down in weight tomorrow.. how would that be for ironic! I will exercise tomorrow though! Mostly because I don't have a choice, the bf works late tomorrow, so I have to hike up my mountain (it's 2km's straight up). Totally a workout.

Coffee? I want coffee! I swear, Starbucks should be illegal. Iced Grande 1% Caramel Macchiato... soooo yummy

-Aimee

OH! So I finally changed my ticker, I am up 3 pounds and have been for almost a week, so it was time to change it. I'm thinking I might not hit my March goal... Why is sugar so addicting??

ABSOLUTELY! I grew up in a really small town (only had 1 high school, and there were less than 100 students in my graduating class, less than 500 in the high school total), and it wasn't exactly a "rich" town (even though people sometimes assume I grew up rich because I'm from Connecticut). Therefore, my exposure to people different from me was rather limited until I went to college. I went to private college, so some of the students were from more "well-to-do" families and backgrounds (how frustrating is it that I worked 2 jobs through college while some of my friends sat back and had their parents pay for everything?!). At first, I was quite intimidated by the "prissy" girls and stuck-up guys, but when I started talking to different people in classes and at parties and such, I was surprised to find that they were a lot more like me than I had expected. Some of my greatest friends my senior year actually ended up being people I never thought I would even get along with...these tiny, skinny, pretty, perfect little cheerleader-looking types. Turns out, a lot of them had the same super-sarcastic attitude as me about most things, so we got along really well and had a ton of laughs. Aaah, I miss my porch monkey days...

In response to the height thing--I'm not tall! I'm about 5'5, so not really short, but not tall, either. My sister (5 years older then me) is about 5'9-5'10, though, and is also trying to lose weight. She's now about a size 16 in plus sizes or 18 in misses, and she thinks she's so huge, but I know she looks perfect in about a size 10 or 12, which she was for a long time, so I don't think she has as far to go as she thinks...I probably haven't been a size 18 since middle school

As far as gyms go, my sister was a member of the Y until she realized that a regular gym was much cheaper. The gym we went to when I lived with her was AWESOME. It was all women, there was a abunch of weight machines, free weights, exercise balls, mats, cardio equipment (treadmills, stair climbers, elipticals, bikes), an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a sauna, a hot tub, and a separate room where they did different types of classes throughout the week (yoga, stretching, kickboxing, aerobics, boot camp training...), and it was all only $29.95 a month (ith a 2-year contract). Of course I signed the 2-year contract, not knowing I would end up moving 200 miles away in less than a year Now, I am still trying to get my membership transferred to a gym near my new home--what a pain!! Once I have a gym here, though, I'll make it part of my daily routine during the week just like I did before.

Well, I decided I need to cut way back on calories today and tomorrow to make up for the overload in the past few days. I always have everything counted out and do fine all day...until I get home at night. I sit there alone, watching tv or sitting at the computer, and I just EAT! Now, I don't have a whole lot of food in my apartment since I live alone, so I end up eating really random things (peanut butter, bread, canned turkey chili, cold boneless skinless chicken breast). It's not all bad for you, but I end up going way over in calories because even the healthy stuff adds up quickly! Add to that I've been really tired when I get home (go from the full-time job straight to the part-time job, then any errands I need to run, then home), so I just sit and eat and then go straight to bed Time to make up for it in the short term and FIX it in the long run! Hopefully, it'll be better when I'm done training at the restaurant so I can go home between jobs and grab something to eat--that way I'm not so ravenously hungry when I get home at night.

Alright, I need to stay awake--sooooooo tired I don't drink coffee or tea, so I guess I can just get up and do a few las around the cubicles to get my blood pumping I didn't get much sleep last night at all for some reason. I turned off the light and the tv about 9:30 and fell asleep shortly after, but then I woke up at 1, then 1:45, then 3, then 3:30, and then my alarm went off at 4:30. I don't know why it was so hard for me to sleep last night Hopefully tonight will be better. But for now, time to stop babbling...sorry this post was so long, but since I haven't been getting on my computer at home at night, I can only check the posts while I'm at work (my first/full-time job), so by the time I get on in the morning, there's so much to catch up on! Hope everyone has a great day!

Hi, Kimberley and Kylie, really glad to see you here

It's so interesting to read everyone's stories. Kimberley, I think mine sounds most like yours, I was always doing everything to avoid PE or anything physical. I felt overweight and like I just couldn't do it, or that I'd be embarrassed to do it. When I was going to elementary and highschool (the 70s in Northern California), very few kids were overweight. I liked reading and art -- which doesn't call for much moving around. I've finally got the feeling that I'm worth losing the weight too. Maybe I never really believed I could do it before. Because now I can really envision myself doing sports -- hiking, skating, canoeing. Good stuff.

Kylie, I can't believe you went through that. I wish that guy was here now so I could pummel him. Man. My parents never were heavy either, though the three of us kids all got really fat. How was it moving to an entirely different countr? Must have had a period of culture shock. I know it took a while for me to get used to NY (speaking of entirely different countries, ha). Yeah, I think the gym will be a very postive move for me. It will pull me out of my comfort zone a little too, which is good. Our Y has a pool, and when I work up the nerve I plan to use that too. I actually love to swim, but have felt too embarrassed to do it for years.

Jill, I wouldn't hesitate to get yourself checked out. I know I can get into the mindset that because I'm heavy I feel like I don't "deserve" to get good medical care (after all, I did it -- ie gained weight -- to myself!). And you shouldn't think you're necessarily looking for excuses. It's better to find out then work from that knowledge. (No coffee or tea, see Marge staggering and clutching her chest.... ) I have trouble sleeping sometimes, I either count sheep (backwards from one hundred again and again), and if that doesn't work, I just turn on the light and read for about a half hour until I get sleepy.

Diana, the Y here (and it's NY so I'm assuming they must hike up prices more than anywhere else in the world!) charges $45/month (cancel anytime) with a one time initial fee of $95. They also have another type of membership if you can go off hours (10am to 3pm, I think) that's even cheaper. You might want to call, that is if you haven't already, and ask if they have any cheaper types of memberships.

Well, I gotta go. We're working on getting a client out of solitary confinement. I think I know too much about the justice system in this country now.

hey all.. have been busy today, and being it is getting later, may be putting my daily walk off til tomorrow, I don't like walking around here in the dark, too many critters ( as in Coyotes) for me, and hubby and I will be gone the rest of the day...I live in a rural setting, and it gets too creepy after dark, lol, but will do the bike for sure after I get off of here. My best friend is doing the Core program through WW, and she is sending me all of the stuff ( she has extra, her friend backed out) so I may be joining her...She has lost 7 pounds in a week, since she started. I know it is mostly water weight, but still, at least I will have something to keep me focused. My hubby checked at work, he works for GE, been there 15 years..I guess they pay for half of your membership, so we may decide to join after all. Only problem is that I guess the place get sooooo crowded. I may look into the off hours thing, sounds like more my speed anyhow, TY for lettign me know. I think the entire stte of NY is expensive now. I live close to Saratoga, and that is very High-brow , but in general, we are the second most expensive state in the US now other than CA. Our house, when he had it built was 168, 000...Now, we can get 300, 000 for it. The houses are starting at over 300, 000 now here. Craziness...Coffee....UGH, haven't had a cup yet today, maybe I need one , maybe that is my problem...and, female issues, we need not speak of... lol...Anyhoo, gotta go do dishes and ride my bike, have fun!!

AAAAAAAARGH! There, now I feel a little better I just got off the phone with someone who does not at all understand my frustration--I hate that! I also hate that I can't yell at people. I'm nice to the point of becoming a pushover Here's the story:

I belonged to a gym in Virginia Beach (where I lived last year). I was on a 2-year contract, and I moved to Northern Virginia (bout 200 miles away) in November. After I got everything in order, I had my sister take a copy of my new lease to the gym in Va Beach. They had said you could cancel if you moved more than 25 miles away. Well, she brought it in to the gym, and the lady there said that they were affiliated with a gym up by my new address, so I could just transfer and not have pay the cancellation fee. Wonderful! She gave my sister (who in turn gave me) the name of the gym in my new town. I looked up the address and stopped by about a week later. I explained the situation to them and asked what I had to do to be able to use their gym. They said I needed to talk to my gym in Va Beach and have them fax a copy of my membership agreement up to them. Fine...I was going to visit my sister the next weekend anyway, so I went to the gym in Va Beach while I was down there. Turns out, they don't keep copies of the paperwork. It all gets sent to the corporate office. So, they gave me the number to the coproprate office. This was enough running around and back and forth to start frustrating me. I called the corporate office almost 3 weeks ago and explained the situation. The woman I spoke with said there were multiple gyms in my area that I could transfer to. Awesome! So she took my name, new address, and phone number and said she would research the area for me and send me a packet of info including which gyms I could go to and directions to them from my house, and the information would be in my mailbox in about a week. Sounded great! Well, here it is 3 weeks later and still no info in the mail. So, I called today and explained what was going on. The woman I spoke with (not the same person as before) put me on hold to go talk to someone else in the office, then came back and said that the woman I had originally talked to said I was supposed to have called her back with my address so she could send the info. **** no! I had DEFINTELY 100% already given her ALL of my info. GRRR! So, I gave her my information AGAIN, and now I still have to wait a week for the information about gyms up here. So, here it's been 4 months since I could go to a gym. I know that most of this time passing has been my fault (procrastination, laziness, etc.), but at least a month will have gone by before I get this information, and yet I had to pay for membership for that month--how does she not understand that this is frustrating to me??

Okay, I'm done ranting now. Time to go to job #2 for the day...

I weighed in today, and have somehow managed to reach my Easter goal. I have been a bit relaxed with my eating this month, still good, but not as stringent, must be getting used to the healthy living stuff!!!! But my exercise routine is still going at full speed. I can't believe I like exercise!!!! I never knew that!!!! So now my gym instructor wants me to have a week off the eating plan, but keep up with the exercise, not going mad or anything, but just to allow a few more treats a "mini maintenance" and then full pelt again. It sounds very sensible. I am having my break over Easter, lets hope the Easter bunny comes and visits me!!!!

Moving countries was really hard. I miss a lot of silly things about Australia, and being a comfort eater, homesickness is a killer. But moving countries has also been a good impetus for me to try new things, like exercise!!! When no one knows you it's easier to do things that at home you might feel self concious about. I did find it really hard to deal with crowds, I can't imagine what New York would be like!!!!

Good for you, Kykaree! That's got to feel great.

Wow, Jill...I can sure understand your frustration. The red tape involved with what should be simple stuff sometimes is mind-boggling!

I didn't go to the YMCA today, but I've been on plan. I decided to enjoy the fresh air and take a walk this afternoon. I kept up a brisk pace and walked for 16 minutes; I need to drive the block I walked so I know how far I traveled. It was great getting outside (45 degrees - woo!) and saying hello to the other people I saw out and about.

I was 2/3 on plan today, meaning I had 2 good meals, and 1 bad meal. heh. I weighed this morning and was down half a pound.. I am SO tired, barely had enough energy to read thru the posts.. I will be back tomorrow and will have more energy.. I'll talk to you ladies tomorrow..

-Aimee

oh yah, I bought a SUPER cute mini ipod holder thingy, it's got little pink poodles on it.. sounds cuter that I can say.. Wow, it hurts being this tired!

Good night, Aimee
Good night, Aimee
Good night, Aimee
We hate to see you go...

Here's to slumber, and here's to iPod accessories!

Aaah, my clock says 6:34am, and I am awake! Not just like sitting at my desk with my eyes drooping like yesterday, but actually awake aww, I like the cute little St. Patty's Day smilies

I did REALLY well for food yesterday. I only had about 1200 calories (need to make up for the past few days of being way too high), and I got more exercise than normal because I served at the restaurant for a few hours, so I was walking around, carrying plates, cleaning tables, etc. I even got a compliment from one of my tables who called a manager over and said I was doing a great job for my first night (telling the tables it's my first night is a great way to get bigger tips, even though I have actually served before--but it was my first time in that restaurant, so I wasn't technically lying ).

Today, I get to actually go home between jobs for the first time this week. Then I have to be at the restaurant at 6pm to run food (just carry food out from the kitchen to the tables so I can learn the table numbers), so at least I'll get a little more exercise. I'm going to stick to 1200 calories again today, then eat as few calories as possible during the day tomorrow (then dinner out with my honey at night ). I guess this new job may actually help my waistline in addition to my wallet!

Well, I suppose I will make my text green in honor of the holiday rather than my usual purple I completely forgot to wear green today, though. I even have clover socks, a shiny green clover necklace, and a green headband I could have worn, but I was in such a rush to get up and out of the house this morning that I forgot it was the 17th Oh well, better luck next year

hello there...Well , yesterday wasn't too terrible, no walking or biking which is terrible...as far as eating goes, not too bad. I need to really get more veggies in my plan and fruit, & stop eating late at night no matter how hungry I get , that is a major problem. And I need to STOP with soda, and go back to mostly water...UGH! I did talk myself out of which was a good thing though... ...well, have to finish my rag dolls, and get busy on a project for my neighbor. She wants a wall hanging with bunnies and carrots on it...A woman's work is NEVER done. Do I miss being out in the work force? Not really. I miss lady friends, but work? NOPE...LOL...of course, I used to work 7 days a week at over 60 hours, so that explains that...Well, hope u all have a great day! TTFN