Ugh - I have been ill with a cold the last few days so have not been able to do my video! Hopefully I'll feel fit enough to do it tomorrow. I feel a lot better now than I did this time last night - when I was completely voiceless and running a temperature.

Had the day off work and don't feel too bad today.

Still, maybe my body will have been burning up lots of lovely calories fighting this thing.

Good thing was, I have lost 1.5 lbs since Monday which is way cool.

Lois, great deficit!! That should make a loss of over 3 lbs!!

Good afternoon! I hope your day is treating you well. So far I'm staying on target today. Does anyone have any strange cravings for red meat? These past few days I want a nice juicy steak! I try to limit my red meat intake to about twice a week, mind you none of that is a juicy steak! LOL It's either extra lean ground beef, or lean strips of beef. I was even saying I'd settle for beef jerky yesterday, I know low in fat but probably loaded in sodium.

That brings me to another question I have for you, my birthday is coming up on Feb.8th, I've thinking about how to handle it. Do I take the day off (have a great steak) or should I still think about my plan? I would love to celebrate with a piece of chocolate cake!! MMMMmmmmmmm I don't know if I should allow myself this, or find alternative ways to have my cake and steak and eat it too!?

Jill, you're doing so well! The 50lb mark! Wow, I can't wait for that day, even just thinking about that makes me more motivated (even to be good on my birthday!) Way to go! BTW- I am really proud for the lost I've made in January.

Garnetfairy, great job losing 2.75lbs! You're doing really well with your weight loss journey, 13.8lbs since Jan 1 is wonderful!

Lori, having your additions to this thread is an encouraging to us as we are to you. I for one am very happy to have any extra support. Thank you for joining!

The short term goals are very good, and definitely feel obtainable. I started at 269 and I had the mind set to beat the 60's, then I'm the 50's and then beat the 50's, and so on. I've almost made my second goal so far, I'm 4.5lbs from weighing 249!

Cheryl, good luck on your weigh in today!

Lois, you're doing great with your workouts. Have you heard that biggest loser has a workout dvd? I wouldn't mind trying that. I have such a problem with sticking with the tapes, I find them so monotonous (sp?). Could you explain the deficits you're striving for? How do you measure that or do it?

Robsia, hope you feel better soon. I'm on the tale end of a cold, it sure knocks your energy level way low! Hang in there! That loss is amazing! Congrats!

Well ladies have a wonderful day!
Stay strong and powerful!
~Tina

Tina - re: your birthday.

I don't know what to suggest - mine's not till OCtober, which is one of the reasons I started my diet now, as parties are always a big trial for me. I always eat far too much and then think "What the heck" and give up.

If you were REALLY good for the rest of the week, you could have steak and a small piece of cake and just aim to maintain that week.

But if, like me, you're the kind of person who would get severely knocked off track then maybe it's best not to risk it.

I get the impression from you that you could manage to get back to it though - you seem pretty strong-willed.

Only you can decide.

I won't say "Oh go on," because we're here to support each other, not to tempt each other.

All I will say is, if you do do it, enjoy it, but straight back on plan next day!

Tina for ur birthday u so deserve to treat urself!!
Cheryl gosh hope ur ok. and yay 3lbs!!!
Robsia hope u feel better.

well my day started off ok did great this morning, met a friend this afternoon took our kids to a soft play place ther was carrot cake calling me but i said NO! then did sum shopping and stopped off at Kfc, feeling bit guilty will have to be extra strict with myself for rest of week, wont be expecting much of a loss on monday.
have bought myself a gym ball, figured im gettin enough cardio with my treadmill and airwalker. has anyone else tried a ball apart from situps i havnt a clue wot im gonna do with it lol!!!!

Robsia - I hope you feel better soon, I have been sick almost all month myself.

Lois - How do you calculate your calorie deficit? Great for you to have a big deficit, keep going!

Lori - that is great to have support from hubby, wonderful for you!

Tina - I celebrated my birthday (early its 01-29) tonight, well the birthday dinner part of it not the presents. I had broiled fish in a wine and lemon sauce with mushrooms, red onions, and tomatoes; black beans; rice; and guacamole and for the first time ever, I put half the meal in a to go container even before I finished eating. The waiter looked at me funny but I felt good about it. We did not have them sing happy birthday so I did not get a sopapilla but it was great anyway. No cake or sweets at all and it was fine! But if you really want a steak, filet mignon without the bacon is pretty darn low fat and they are not huge so you get a nice bit of steak without a lot of calories.

Lois - how do you figure calories burned?

Cheryl - Congratulations on the weight reduction 3 pounds wow! Way to go!!
I am happy to hear you have the good sense to work around your hernia. You will still get the weight off!!

Andrew's Mum - the only other exercises I know of with a gym ball (is that the same as a weighted medicine ball) is to hold it between your hands with your arms in front of you and then more your arms to the side and back then the other side and back. Also if you have someone to do it with you, you can sort of play catch with the ball I think it works the arms and chest.

hey chickies, hope y'all are havin a great day. just wanted to share somethin that made me laugh.....if only it could be true!!!

I DON'T KNOW WHAT DOCTOR WROTE THIS, BUT I LIKE HIM!


HEALTH QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.


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

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.


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

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!


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

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.


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

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!


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

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?


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

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.


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

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO ...... Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!




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

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!


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

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about
food and diets.

And remember: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to
skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Wannabeskinnymama - thanks for the birthday wishes!! 3 more days and counting...ha ha ha

The Biggest Loser is a reality TV show where people compete by losing weight. I expect the DVD has exercise tips and secrets and routines used by the trainers on the show. I have not seen the dvd but I have seen the show and I find it very inspirational. It is on Wed at 8:00 central time on ABC I think.

I just finished a mile with Leslie and now that I have sat down for a bit I feel better. Boy, I am out of shape that little work out wears me out. I have to recuperate so I will be strong enough to take a shower. I am actually shakey when I finish. Of course this tape is the only aerobic class type experience I have ever had so that may be it, plus the 160 extra pounds my poor feet lug around. But I have decided I like Leslie Sansone. I do wonder if her other tapes are very different or are they all basically the same just different settings and music? Anybody know??? Thanks!

Hi everyone,
Hope you all are having a great day......
I'll be back tonight to check in with you all............

hugs,