Hey Ladies! Thanks for all your encouragement when I was feeling blue yesterday.....I am over it now, thank God! Perfection isn't what I am going for anyways, just to be a better version of me is what I am looking for.

Karen - You are such an encourager - you are the sunshine on this board - thanks for being you!

Celeste - To add to what everyone said about eating enough protien, I also think maybe you should try to eat more - it doesn't sound like you are eating enough for how much you are running. I know Weight Watchers tells you to add points each day if you exercise. I know that my weight loss seems to stall if I am not eating enough, especially when I am doing lots of cardio. Also, instead of only running for cardio, you may want to do something else a few times a week because your body may be so efficient at running now that your in shape that you don't burn as many calories as before or work as many muscle groups. I just know that your body responds a lot better if you switch things up & never let it get use to what you are doing. Maybe you could incorporate a few exercise videos (step aerobics or Tae Bo, etc...). Oh yeah, I have done Curves before and it is mostly circuit resistance training - they have machines that strengthen muscles and work you aerobicly at the same time (you switch machines every 30 seconds). It's nice if you are short on time, but I find that it's mostly for beginner-intermediate exercisers, I think at this point you might not get a lot out of it because you are so active and in shape now.

Debbie - God job on your dedication and getting down to 190 - woo hoo!

Haley - So good to hear from you girlie, I missed ya! I am so glad you are doing well and feeling good about what you accomplished over the summer - it's great your friends can see the results

Sarah - Hope all is ok, how ya doin'?

MOG!!!! I ate really badly today too....Is there something going around? My red light food now is kisses....no more!!!! I need to come to this web site more and focus more ....I have been away from the computer...I will get on track on wednesday....hope everyone is doing better than me today.....

Don't beat yourself up because you ate bad. Just remember how bad you want to be thin and ask self if the kisses are worth it. This board has been such great help to me. When feeling weak come here and type.
I am loving my weights and tread mill. I am not sure how to do the proper weights yet. Does anyone have any suggestions of books or dvds? I just have the light weights 6 lbs, Not ready for power lifting yet.

Thanks Debbie, I needed to hear that! I got on the scale and I weighed the same. I am eating to a T today! I over slept this morning for my weight lifting workout, but I plan to do a spin class tonight. Oh well. If I just lose a pound this week I will be very happy.

Debbie, I don't know of any books or DVD's for working with weight, but the body for life book does have some workout suggestion and rountines. Try looking at there web site. Body for Life. I am sure if I helped you....Hopefully someone else will have some input. Keep on doing it...I bet you will have a lost this week!

How is everyone doing today?

Hi, I'm new to the forum (been around a couple weeks) and started changing my habits on Monday. I need to lose 63 pounds. I'm really looking for a connected group to join. Please, let me know if this is open!

Hi Emma

You are more than welcome here! We are a very connected group and most of us post everyday or every other day. Tell us a little bit about yourself! We all introduced ourselves when we first joined this group - for recaps you can go to the first few pages of this thread to get to know us better. So far we have the following ladies here;

Nicki (started this group - going to be a great personal trainer someday)
Celeste (the closest to her goal weight - we look up to her dedication)
Karen (The best encouragement by far- A mommy of 2)
Haley (very intelligent college student w/ a great sense of humor)
Debbie (very passionate & committed to being healthier)
Sarah (very down to earth, a mommy as well)
Me (I'm Melanie - after years of wanting to lose weight, but never doing it, I am finally doing it now! I'm a mommy too.)

There is a summary for ya
Nice to meet ya,
Melanie

Melanie you are such a great warm welcomer....hum? is welcomer a word?

Just wanted to say HI! Emma!

I am doing much better today on my eating, the kissess are all gone since Tuesday. I will be getting remeasured on Friday, to see what a difference 11 lbs makes, also starting the body for life contest on Sept 6th. Hope that everyone is doing well!!!!

Okay, I haven't died. Although...I'm surprised, with the way I ate on Monday. It was my birthday, so of course I went all out. Lunch was a 5-star restaurant with my dad and his wife - potato gruyere soup, black olive bread with olive oil & spices, roasted pork tenderloin in a sherry cream sauce with green beans and a mound of yukon taters. My snack when I got home was a couple of birthday chocolates my insurance agent sent to me. Dinner was with my mom at Red Robin, a THICK cup of clam chowder, and a fried chicken sandwich with full fat mayo and provolone. OHMYGOD it was heavenly.

I'm holding steady at 194. This is good news. Especially since I haven't exercised lately...gotta get back on that pony and RIDE!! I'm thinking of joining Weight Watchers, I'm going to ask my nutritionist how she feels about that. I have an appointment after work.

My mom and I went to Old Navy yesterday (she wanted to buy me a pair of corderoys). I picked up a pair of 18's, thinking MAYBE they might fit. They were loose. I tried on 16's. They fit, and weren't uncomfortable. At my highest weight, 20's were getting tight. WOOHOO!!

Emma - welcome!

Karen - Curves is great if you're totally out of shape. Even then, you need to mix it up with other workouts, or you're not going to burn very many calories as your body becomes accustomed to it. I go to Curves, but I also walk, and I TRY to do Billy Blanks Bootcamp.

Debbie - Congrats on 190!!

Celeste - How are you liking Weight Watchers? It's so bloody expensive but I really want to join. I went to a meeting to see if I wanted to join, and I loved it! I'm still sitting on the fence.

Hope everyone is doing well. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was in Katrina's wake.

Sarah

Welcome Emma You have found a wonderful home here. I hope to see you post often. Everyone here is such great inspiration.
Happy late birthday Sarah!!!! It sounds like you had a great one.
I just talked to one of my friends that started Susan Powter diet with me 3 weeks ago she is gone from 275 to 269 Way to go Katey.
I will check out the site that you told me about. btw I am under 190 now just making sure it holds before I change stats. I can't believe two summers ago I wore size 22 now wearing 14 and 16.
I am loving the treadmill. It seems that I can't wait to turn it on in the evenings.
Well I better get busy. I just wanted to pop in and say hey!!! Everyone keep up the good work.

Hi Sarah: Glad to hear from you. Celeste was asking about curves. I do weight lifting 3x a week with a trainer. Yes, I too think that curves is a great option for someone starting out. Happy belated birthday! Sounds like you had a wonderful cheat day! I would have done the same thing!

Okay Nicki! Where are you girl!!!! You know you want this....I want to hear from you everyday!!!!!!!!

I wish I could get a trainer. I am kind of flying solo on this but doing pretty good. I just had tread mill three days and can't keep it on fat burner stage but about 5 minutes. Some day I know I will be able to jog I hope. I found some muscles I forgot I had. One I never even knew I had. The one on the back of the thigh. Imagine that. Hubby is beginning to take notice of new mama now and that is pretty nice. I pray every nite I will be 135 by next summer. Tonight everyone please remember our gulf coast people. I couldn't even eat today thinking of all those children and families starving. We just don't know how very blessed we are till we lose. Karen is that a recent pic of you. You and Mel are just cute as speckled pups under a red wagon. ( Remember I am from Texas so excuse all my slang. )Keep up the good work everybody. I don't know how I would do it with out all of you.

Hi Karen! LOL Thanks for wondering about me! You're so sweet. It makes me feel so good when I see you or Melanie wondering where I'm at. A lot of times I pop in here and read what's up, but don't have enough time to post. I'll try and make more time. Well, my eating has been good so far today, and was good yesterday. I went to the gym today! So that's like 5 times in a week I have been! It's a new record I think! I have a new weight/cardio schedule, so I'm excited to start that. I start it tomorrow. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are my days off from workign out, but I went to day since I didn't go Monday or Tuesday. So I'll just have an extra day of cardio in there, and I KNOW that can't hurt me.

Debbie I love you. I think you are the cutest thing! If you ever need help with anything, don't forget, I'm studying to become a personal trainer! I know I'm not one yet, but I have already learned so much. Feel free to ask me questions! I will answer them to the best of my ability.

Hey Emma, welcome to the group! Everyone here is really nice, so don't you feel lucky?

I'll catch up on everyone else later, I gotta study!

Hiya Ladies

Had a great big cheat meal tonight and I don't feel bad about it because I know it was only one meal and I'll be right back on track tomorrow. It was hubby's b-day dinner at a really nice restaurant, so I had wine, an entree & cheesecake. I figure I am about 300 calories over my maintenance calories for the day, but I will work that off with some Tae Bo tomorrow

Nicki - So great to hear from you, I've been missing you. I look forward to your posts everyday and when you aren't here, it never goes unnoticed. I am glad working out has been going so well for you - exercise is so important. Good job!

Debbie - I'd have to agree with Nicki, you are the cutest thing! I love your slang and your passion for becoming healthier is contagious! Thanks for the compliment on my picture too

Karen - Have you been affected by all the weather that Katrina brought on? I hope not! You live in Georgia, right? Great job on nixing the kisses - it's not worth it in the long run, unless of course, that's your cheat meal for the week!

Night Gals

Love to you all,
Melanie

Welcome Emma, good luck!

Not too much time to post, but I just wanted to say I did pretty good on my eating today except I had a crunch bar with caramel, it was good, but I felt guilty so I went to the gym. Did an hour on the elliptical and 20 minutes of weight and played basketball for about 10-15 minutes. I feel sore from Sunday still, so I'll be even more sore tomorrow. It's all worth it! I haven't bought a scale yet, so I don't know where I am right now, but when I get a scale, I'll update my weight on here.

I need to try really really really hard to not eat badly at night. i usually do fine during the day, but at night i get really hungry. i usually go to the coffee shop and get cheese quesadillas or FRIED cheese sticks, I need to stop this. Any suggestions??

I am going to get some yogurt tomorrow to fulfill my late night binges, but does anyone else have any ideas?

umm tomorrow remind me to NOT type while my sleeping pill has kicked in because i cant remember what i'm saying. ill remember tomorrow.

you all are amazing, phenomal, beautiful, strong, kind, sensitive and thoughtful!! in other words...you all are awesome. GOOD LUCK!! Make good decisions and do the exercise because when we get to where we wanna be we will be even more sexy than we already are. and i guess that's my ultimate goal to feel SEXY.

i may have to delete this post tomorrow cause i really cant re-read what i wrote to make anything make sense that doesnt..

GOODNIGHT ALL!!!!

Good Morning! Boy, I am hungry and we don't have any stuff to eat in the house. I guess, I will have to load up the kids and head for the store.

Debbie: I love your slang! That pic of me is before I had my two little pups...It was taken about 3 years ago. Glad to here that your thights and butt are burning, see you are doing such a wonderful job getting in shape. I wish I could just jump on a treadmill! How is everything doing in Texas, have you been affected?

Nicki: Wow! That sounds like a great plan. You have done better than me this week with the cardio! I always look forward to reading your post! I bet you will have a lost soon! What are you studying? Are you in school?

Melanie: Hey there gal! No, the storm did not affect us. But the gas prices are going up! I live in Atlanta. One station was changing the price within 15mins up to 25 cents. What a great cheat day you had. Say, Happy Birthday to your hubby! By the way, I got some tae bo tape from a friend and last nite, I did the 8 min workout, boy, I was like on fast forward. She gave me four of them, so I think I will try another one. The 8 min workout was very fast paced!

Haley: Hey there girlie! I know what you meant by trying to find something to eat at night. I like to have some rice cakes and sometimes with peanut butter. Or maybe a weight watchers fudge cake. Or little Debbie ginger breadman, Hum....I guess these are not that good for you...Boy, I am getting hungry.

Celeste: How are things going?

Sarah: Great on trying on the clothes...I cannot wait to be a size 16! Way to go!

Emma: How is it going? Tell us something about you?

See ya!
Karen