Hooray Jill! Good for you! I knew that gain was temporary - then again, so did you once you thought about it!

I, myself, lost not a pound this past week. But, having lost the week before after all the bad food, I'm not too upset about it. And I'm wearing my size 20 jeans today...which seem awfully tight when I'm sitting down, but only because I'm so used to stretchy size 24's! I've been complimented twice today on how much I've lost though, so comfort be darned!

Hope you all are having a happy, healthy OP day!

CONGRATS to all the big losers over here! WooHoo for you!

SueMarie: The smoothie sounds GREAT. I must have done something wrong though because when I add up the calories you listed, I come up with 417 and that divided by 4 servings is 118 calories per serving.

Well, I FINALLY made it to the gym after joining earlier this week. I went swimming. Yes, I was in public in a bathing suit. Wasn't quite as scary as I thought it would be but will be nice to get some of the lumps and bumps off anyway. I did about 12 laps in the pool. Now I know why Olympic swimmers, men and women have those broad shoulders. Man, I feel like my arms were about ready to fall off! That's good though. My arms need toned up. I plan to go back and swim again tomorrow morning. There is a water aerobics class at 8:30. I'd like to try that, but I am nervous about it and thought I could swim my laps while scoping out the class before I actually give it a try. I'm a sissy, I know.

Anyway, I want to thank all of you who have been sharing your experiences with exercising in the pool. Without you, I NEVER would have taken this step.

Xena-That's great! See you didn't get struck by lightning. My water aerobics instructor always says that in the water, your body only has to endure 10% of your weight on your joints, but the water resistance is 12 times the resistance that you get exercising in just the air. Believe me, the water aerobics class will be filled with the aged, infirm, and flabby. The hard bodies prefer to do the regular aerobics class or spinning classes. If you got a great body, you don't want to exercise with it hidden in water, you want to wiggle it out front. Just tell the instructor that you are new, and try to get a spot near her so you can hear and see the moves clearly. I wear goggles because I can't see my hand in front of my face without prescription goggles. They have come in very handy though to take a quick peek below the surface at the instructor's leg movements when I didn't understand exactly what she was doing. Just do as much as you can for as long as you can, and it gets easier.

Kittie Cat – Did you ever get a chance to try that smoothie recipe? How was it?

Jilly – Congrats on the 5.25lbs WOOHOO!!

ThinThinker – you divided by 4, that means it would have been a larger serving… what I calculated was 7 servings for a total of approx 4 oz for the drink which gave me the 67 calories. I also it was calculated out 4 servings of 6 oz which came out to 117 calories. Depends on the size of the serving.

Xena – Congrats on trying the pool out! I too know that I had some reservations about being in public with a swimsuit. I use the pool at the University Campus. Nothing like being a big chick in a swimsuit in front of all these hard body hot campus guys But it was okie… I’m still a bit self conscious, but if I get in the pool fast, all is well heheheheh

Hippievanlady – I noticed that too… we have one lady who is younger than myself andhas a great body, but she’s pregnant. But as far as any other body type, it is the aged and flabby as you have mentioned. Never thought of that. My instructor is a fit woman tho. It definitely gets easier tho as you said. And don’t do anything that feels funny!

It was a great night last night. I was out all over the place so I didn’t have time to post. My service engine soon light came up on my car and so I left my house at 6:30 a.m. to get to the dealership by 7:30 a.m. Just to avoid any line ups and get in early enough so I could get my car back sooner. Anyways, I can take m car to the San Bernardino dealership but I don’t like them, they didn’t treat me very well so I took my car to the Moreno Valley dealership. They treat you like people there and not some female twit who knows crap about cars. My dads an engineer who works on cars and planes so I learned from him… I remember one guy was trying to explain to me what an oil pan was versus an oil filter… I’m like DUH! I can change my own oil! Anyways, now that I’ve strayed from my point I go to the Moreno Valley dealership because they’ve been taking care of my and m family for quite a few years. So I pull up to the dealership leave my car there and around noon time they call and I go to pick up my car. It ends up costing me $40 for them to tell me, yes your car left a code in the computer which gave you the service engine soon light. You had an evaporation leak and pressure was not building properly. So to put that in easier words… my gas cap was loose!!!! I spent $40 for them to tell me my gas cap was loose :-P

After I picked up my car, my parents and I went house shopping. They want a new house but I think they’re crazy. Specially with market prices. I’m just concerned that my father is never going to be able to retire and enjoy his life with a house that is going to cost him over 500k. That’s being cheap too, houses out here are ridiculous! I can maybe see it if he was moving closer to work, since he has to get up at 3am to get to his van pool by 4am and then get to work by 6 am. He’s an Engineer for Lockheed. Then he gets home at 5pm. OY! My works at leasts works closer. She’s a dealer in a casino tho, and the second hand smoke is killing her. I just would hate to see them take on any more bills.

Okie now that I’ve rambled and whined… good news is my team took all 3 games last night for league. Next week is positions week. I think we’re third? Might be second but it depends on how the team above us did. Then the week after that is Vegas… I’m looking forward to this trip! I wanna see the Blue Man Group!! Hehehe

Oh, and I’m down 1lb! I don’t know how with all the cravings I had with Aunt Flo and Uncle TOM here. Not to mention the water retention but it’s still a loss and I’m happy

Okie ladies, I hope all is well…

Take care!
Sue…

i have a little dilemma. since im home (just graduated) i'm not in direct control over my diet. i have to eat what's home for now since i dont yet have a job. i am making a few dollars on eBay but I digress lol. does anyone have any ideas? i've been eating alot of bagels...although they are whole wheat...i know those gigantic bagels shouldnt be eaten more than like 2x tops a week. i do find it funny (although it hurts naturally) that my mother has the nerve to comment on my size when she knows nothing about nutrition (her idea of a "diet" is eating 2x or most times, once a day).

Rosie

Extrinsic

I have the same problem at times... it takes a lot of habit changing. Get rid of a lot of the stuff you shouldn't eat, and put healthier things around you. I used to pig out on rice cakes. I don't buy them anymore it's really hard tho, so I know how you feel. My biggest challenge was midnight cravings. UGH!

I found that if I kept myself busy, I usually stopped thinking about snacks. I took up scrapbooking, started building a webpage... I even started walking the malls til I learned there was a rocky mountain chocolate factory in the store. MAN! Their Candy Apples are awesome But definately try to pick up a hobby. It might help you from getting those "munchies" oooh also try having like hard candy around. Like Lemon Drops. Sometimes having something in your mouth is a good craving cure.

I hope some of this might help ya... I've been there believe me... I've managed to knock my midnight cravings down too... course I'm going ot bed earlier as well cause of work and school.

Take care!

SueMarie: So sorry, I'm blind these days. I saw the 4 oz. and read it as 4 servings. I really can read, I promise.

Rosie: Have you tried talking to your mom and letting her know that you are trying to work on your weight? I just did that with my DH and things are going better at home as far as all the snacking he used to do in front of me, making me want to do it too. Perhaps you could ask your mom to stock up on some fruit, that's always good for a snack and then really watch your portions when she fixes a meal.

Thinthinker – no worries… but I’m glad to know someone came up with a close number to mine tho Sometimes I wonder if I do this calorie counting correctly or not at times. *big hugz*

Today was an interesting day. I went to lunch with a few friends, and then we went to the bowling alley, sat in the bar and watched the angels game. Then I did some shopping and now I’m home.

I am going to pamper my car tho… she needs a bath. Been sitting in the garage for almost a month now and she’s collected dust.

It’s been a nice day so far…

Hope everyone is having a good weekend…
Sue…

Hi my name is deborah I am 23 years old and ready to change my life around.
starting tomorrow I am going to drastically attemp to change my eating habbits. One of my biggest problems is knowing when to say enough. I swear I could probobly eat a whole pizza at times. Even if I am not hungry. I am ready to change. I am so happy to find a group of friendly people to talk to on the way. I will keep you all posted.

here is my short term weight loss goal.

Welcome, Deborah! I'm 23, too It's good that you recognize your problems out front--it's easier to correct them that way! I, too, have had many a time (and still do!) when eating a whole pizza seems like the norm rather than a challenge, like my body just doesn't tell me I'm full even though tI have consumed more than an entire high school fotball team You'll find, though, that after a while of making better food choices (healthier choices and sensible portions) that your stomach will shrink, and you won't be able to eat like that anymore. At least, that's what has happened to me. I used to literally order a large pizza when working alone on a slow night (in retail) and eat the whole thing myself Now, however, I feel full after 3 pieces, and satisfied after even less (still need to learn to stop when I am SATISFIED instead of FULL!) simply because my stomch isn't used to getting such huge amounts of food anymore. Make sense? If not, you'll see

Well, I had a horrible weekend food-wise. I got some exercise, but I am sure I ate way more calories than I burned. My sister had a Pampered Chef party Saturday, and then my coworker had a spa product party on sunday. They always have such good food at those home parties, and you bet I tried every bit of it! But today, it's back to the grindstone--at least 40 minutes on the elliptical for today through Thursday, lots of water, and super-strictly on plan! I SO want to get below 280, and I'm so close!!

Deborah – WELCOME!! I too need to learn when to say enough is enough and not just eat because I can. Hard Habit to break!

Jilly - Those are so hard to try not to eat. It always seems like there is a BBQ here or Birthday Party there... and it's so hard to not pick some of this food and some of that food and try it all... another one of my biggest down falls. It's hard! But just remember, you did it once, you can do it again!

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Ladies…I just wanted to post some happy news for me…

Test Date: 07/16/2005

SUSAN * ***********
***** ******, CA 92***

Examination: 102 CSET Multiple Subjects Subtest II
Status: Pass

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Now all I have left is the BIG one… this is the English/History section of my state exam. I really suck at History and I’m afraid I’m gonna get nailed on the essay portion of the exam. WOOHOOO 2 down 1 to go!

I am thinking about going to the gym today. I skipped my water aerobics class today. So I might make up for that in gym time. We’ll see…




---------------------------------------------------------------------

Ladies…I just wanted to post some happy news for me…

Test Date: 07/16/2005

SUSAN * ***********
***** ******, CA 92***

Examination: 102 CSET Multiple Subjects Subtest II
Status: Pass

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Now all I have left is the BIG one… this is the English/History section of my state exam. I really suck at History and I’m afraid I’m gonna get nailed on the essay portion of the exam. WOOHOOO 2 down 1 to go!

I am thinking about going to the gym today. I skipped my water aerobics class today. So I might make up for that in gym time. We’ll see…

Take care everyone...
Sue...

Happy Monday everyone!

I did my weigh in this morning and I am up a pound but I am not too freaked out about it. We ate out Saturday night and it was salty so I am pretty sure I am retaining water.

Not much else to report other than Monday is almost over (yeah yeah yeah)!!! Anyone else hate Monday as much as I do?

Welcome to all the new kids on the block!