Hello all,

It is a BEAUTIFUL Saturday here in north Iowa!!!! It is 50 degrees!!!! Most of our snow it gone, just a few piles, but i know that we will get more, but it is so nice to have the reprieve. I cracked up a few windows to to circulate air in the house!

I am still doing well, putting everything in FitDay and really trying to get in 2 fruits a day. I have to say that has not been as successful, yesterday at work, I had 4 little mini hersheys......and skipped the fruit....not the same I know.....but it was only one day. Tonight we are going to Red Lobster. I am planning on the broiled fish of some sort, it actually is my favorite. That way I can have a few bites of something more decadent! I skipped the work out on Thursday and Friday, so heading to do upper arms and some cardio.....that will help with tonight too....All in all, down 10 lbs in two weeks!

I really want to get to 220 by June 1st, I am going to Europe with a friend and I want my clothes to fit better and to just feel better about myself! So that is the goal!!!!

Have a beautiful weekend!!!
Lilybutt

lilybutt - I'm jealous of 50 degrees and only a little snow! how nice you could have open windows for a while. I agree, when you know that winter isn't over yet, it's nice to have a little reprieve.

You're going to Europe in June? how exciting!!

Hey everyone! Everybody seems to be doing so well! I live in the south so I have not had to deal with the snow that everyone else has had. I can honestly say that I have never shoveled a driveway! Even though I exercise I can't imagine how my back and shoulders would feel after that work-out!

Holly you look so healthy and happy in your pictures! Lilybutt-I'm jealous of your trip to Europe. It's been years since I've been but I cant wait to get back. We went to Venice one time and I believe that is my favorite. I also liked England. It's nice not to have a language barrier! I always walk a ton when I'm over there so you'll definitely get your exercise in.

I'm happy to say that I have been staying on plan and getting my exercise in. I am FINALLY back into the 140s range! WOOOHOOO! It's been a couple of years since I have been in the 40s, but it seems that this hard work is finally paying off! I've got 7 weeks until our trip to Aruba and I would like to be in the low 140s to upper 130s. We'll see though.

It's been so cold that I have been using my crock-pot each week-end. I made a big thing of chili this week-end. I put in 4 different types of beans and used lean ground beef. I figured out that if I use enough seasonings and spice it up my husband doesn't realize that he's eating a high fiber, low-fat meal. Our gym is offering some dance classes for the next four weeks. They are going to teach the waltz, tango, and swing. We may do it. I've always wanted to learn how to swing dance and my hubby is actually for it! It would be a different way to get some extra exercise in.

I've gotta get started on my day. Everyone have a good one!

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted or read everyone's posts for some time I have been so busy. My son left for Washington DC for a new job. EMPTY NEST SUCKS!!! I have not been to the gym for 10 days because I have been so sick with the flu. The BF is still complaining that I am paying my daughters car insurance.

I have not gained any weight, I am still counting fat and calories. At lease I am still doing that or I would have gained. This is the longest that I have not gone to the gym in 2 years.

Holly, I saw your picture. You should be proud of yourself you look great. Your are one of those people that I might see on the street and say to myself, "I hate her, she looks great."

Better get to work.
Deb

Good Monday Morning Ladies

I am feeling good this week. I lost 1.8 lbs last week!! That brings me to 156.0 from last weeks 157.8 I measured two weeks early and lost 1/4" in my hips and 1/4" in my upper stomach. I didn't change in my legs, chest or arms, but my tummy is where I hold all my weight so I am happy. I went to see a movie Saturday., "Million Dollar Baby" and it was so good. A tear jerker! My DH got me a nice ring for Valentines day the thing that was so sweet was he used his money that he has been saving for something he wants

Hi Deb~ Glad to hear from you. We all have down times, but the thing that make a success story is not giving up alone the way

Hi Holly, sorry about your fall I've did that a few years back when we had a bad ice storm. Glad your DH is walking with you. I am still waiting for mine to join me up stairs for my workouts??

Hi Lori....Still working that elliptical. I did 32 mintues last night and went up to 8 then back down on the resistance. I did good at the movies. Me and mom split a small popcorn and they was still a 1/4 of a bag left when I threw it out.

Hi Amy, Jacklyn, Lilybutt, del, U.P. new girls

I know everyone is glad the weather is look better. It is looking like it will be in the 70's here this week??

Oh, My DD wanted turtles for Valentines day and so we got her two. Sarah and Simon. Now any one know how to keep these things from kicking the bucket to soon. She is so happy about getting them???

Have a good week

Amie

Hi Ladies,

Holly, sorry to hear about the fall, your now but I bet at the time you had a few choice words come out of ya I can remember a few yrs ago when I had taken the kids sledding and I decided to go down the hill and at the bottom there is a small jump, well I went over that thing, full speed, and when I came back down I had landed on my tailbone, yeeedoggie did that hurt, I couldnt sit right for 3 weeks

Amie, good for you that you can get 30 min+ in on that elliptical, I think it will still be a couple weeks till I get up there. And congrats on loosing the inches and the almost 2 lbs... I have been doing 20 minute workouts and man do my legs burn awful right in the front at the top of my knees. I dont know what that is all about, I have never had anything bad happen to them, maybe its just because of no excersise all these years there wondering what the h*ll am I doing to them I only lost 1/2 lb this past week...god even with the elliptical the fat dont want to leave me, well its going to one way or another That is so sweet of your hubby to give you that ring and with his own saved money, I am impressed!!! He does have good taste in jewelry though! I cant believe you guys got Taylor turtles I cant wait to get down there and see them...I have no idea how to take care of them though, sorry

Deb, you sound sad about your son moving away, my heart goes out to you! I think I will be the same when my baby moves out!

Jacklyn, you lucky thing you, going to Aruba, sounds wonderful right now! We jsut had a 2 ft snow storm and now were only going to be in the upper 20's this week I envy you, youve never had to shovel snow, Ive shoveled more than my fair share, anytime you want to see what its like come on up
Oh and CONGRATS on making it to the 140 range...good for you, Keep it up.

Has anyone else been wondering what I have.....WHERES APHIL???

We(fiance and I) had a wonderful weekend. He took me to a beautiful hotel in Rockland overlooking the ocean. We had a beautiful dinner and he bought me a gorgious(sp) diamond heart pendant necklace (and some small things) that he had hidden away until later that night. All in all this has got to be the best Valentines I have ever had. My ex didnt have a romantic bone in his miserable body!!

Well I have to get back to work... later

Lori

Hello all.... just checking in.

It feels like its been ages since I've been able to participate here. Only about 2 more months and I can return! I am now 31.5 weeks along and I have gained about 13.5 pounds! Less than 9 weeks to go so even at a pound a week, I'll stay under 200 total! Woot! Hopefully it will fall off after I have the baby too (like it did with my first).

Hope everyone else is doing well... seems like you're all still going strong. I will definitely be back after baby because I want to see this weight gone again!!


Christine

Hello everyone, sounds like everyone has been very busy. The snow here has stopped and we were going to have freezing rain but so far not! Glad about that. Last week I had just got back into the swing of things and exercised 3 times then ended up sick. So got off my routine I really missed being able to go to exercise. I have had a hard time today sticking to good choices. With valentines day too many goodies around I guess. Well take care everyone and keep up your good efforts.
Carol

Hey everyone! man oh man......you know its sad when somebody mentions that their children wanted turtles and I automatically assume they are the kind with caramel, chocolate, and pecans!

Sorry I cant help you with the "real" turtles...I don't know a thing about them. I do however know what to do with the chocolate ones unfortunately. Everyone have a good one

Hi All! I have been AWOL from this site and dieting all together for some time now. But it has been fun catching up on all the posts and seeing the old familiar names. I missed all the wisdom of you folks...Vermontmom, Aphil, Silence and all the new "voices". I wish I could say that I have been losing weight recently but I have gained 30#-so i am up to 175, up from 145. Some of you may remember that I reached my goal at WW of 143, that sure didn't last long. Now I am biting the bullet-no calories in that- and gonna try again-but I need alot of help. This sucks, but I really had to make sure I was in the right frame of mind to do this again-now I think I am there! I have read alot of the menu boards and have done the shopping, now I need the support and wisdom of you folks.....eating crow is not fun!

Welcome back IP (not that I've been around myself).
Good luck getting back on track! I feel like I'm in the right mental state lately but unfortunately, I still have to wait a couple months My luck, by then I'll be out of the proper state of mind (and I don't doubt it because I'll be dealing with some serious lack o' sleep LOL).
Sounds like you're ready to get going again though!


Christine

Silence-I must have missed something here, why the lack of sleep, why wait a few months???? Are you Preggers? Right now I am having that I'll start tomorrw thingy going on....I did shop for good foods and veggies, but I had a big muffin for BR, a hotdog-from a vendor-for lunch, and 2 snack size TWIX bars for a snack...I have to get this out of my system and do good tomorrow, tomorrow...so sings Annie! I'll post better tomorrow! Keep in touch....

Idealperson hello and glad your back. I was away for awhile too. This site offers such good ideas and supports I came back also.
I have been going to the gym and set up a goal for myself. That seems to make a difference for me. I have to use the scale every week or so for ck. and balance. Recently, also measured myself to keep a log on wt. and inches. I know others that say its the way to go. So I am up for the try! I also have been counting the calories and doing my intake log. At first it was tough getting in a routine but now I just do it! Good luck to you!
VermontMOM I recently ck'd out the site your pulled up about what works for different folks. It was very helpful to read the different ideas and thoughts. Thanks it was really interesting and informative.
Carol

Hi everyone!

Sorry about being MIA for a few days. I have been costume making like nobody's business. I have to have new troupe costumes done for a production in 2 weeks...plus a handful of very hard, very detailed costumes done for shows and events with deadlines in April and May. So...add that with all my dance rehearsals and I have been working my rear end off.

Holly-your pic from the bike show looks great! I really, really do love you with the shorter hair. It really flatters you.

You are right about your SIL and being shapeless after losing weight. She most likely did lose muscle mass after having weight loss surgery-because you are losing weight because you can only eat very small portions-but you still don't have to eat healthy. If she is not eating enough lean protein, fruits, and veggies then she is at risk for major muscle loss from her diet alone.
Also-the exercising does wonders with shape. I wouldn't attribute her shapelessness to excess skin with a weight loss of 90 some pounds. You will have some loose skin in areas where it was stretched (I do in my upper arms and lower abs from pregnancy) but because of exercise shape and definition DO show through that-and it is not going to attribue to shapelessness all over the entire body. If her loss was 150-300 pounds from WLS then she may have more loose skin-but as far as looking okay in jeans (we are not talking swimsuits here) then exercise would really, really help give her some shape.
I tend to notice that women who are a little older (as in 30+ not young teenage girls) who do not exercise tend to get "flat" butts. Gravity makes them droop and lose roundness-and their butts look shapeless in jeans.
I have found that using firming lotion helps with the elasticity of the skin as well. I use it every day and massage it in after I shower. It doesn't remove the excess skin, but it gives it a smoothe appearance. It has helped my stretch marks not look so "ridgy" as well.

Aphil, What is this cream. What kind do you use? I agree with you that the exercise is the way to getting a shape. Now some of us were born with a flat butt...LOL Glad your back

Hi girls....I am OP and still working out 5-6 days a week. People around me have noticed a change, and I have too but still feel so fat! I have the kind of body where I am only 5'3" and my legs and arms are in shape and I have a tire around my waiste! My skin is so bad there and will never shrink away. I can hold in my tummy and it will look like I would have a flat tummy if I cut off those skin rolls. All the loose skin makes your paints not fit right! At my height and holding all that weight, 212 at my max, around the tummy would be equal to someone of avg height being 275-300 lbs. That is a lot of stretching....I wish there was a cream that would help? Well it is wet out side and I am so sleepy today. I think I will just sit in today after I eat.

Ideal~ I have been there!! The Tomorrow mind set......Tomorrow may be a year from now. We like to start things on Mondays or on January 1 st but if you want to do it you should start with your next snack choice or meal....I just got out of a 3-4 month slump a few months ago. I gained back 10 lbs and was getting so scared after coming so far, but with the help of this thread, Aphil and Holly....and Knowing I never want to be that big again I came back. I am now back to were I left off after 2 months...Good luck

Amie