Susan~~Congrats on 125!!!!! Was painting the trick?

2frus~~I would have slept for England too. I don't know how you do it! Keep up the good work.

lucky~~Good for you for not making excuses and for getting focused and back on plan. How did the food overhaul go? That's something that I really need to do as well.

Gonna~~Salt is nasty isn't it? I know after a high sodium day I can retain 3-5 lbs myself.

I had a great day yesterday and wasn't even hungry at all. It would be so easy if every day was like that.

Gaylyn

I've had a few minutes to think on that ... the painting thing ... and it's actually a bit of a kick in the butt.
I think I've added activity to my life and I do lift weights (for a short time most days) but the truth of the matter is still that I'm sedentary!

Well, Susan, whatever you are doing is working so keep it up. WOW! 125. I bet it feels like floating in air. I'm really proud of you. You are an inspiration to the rest of us. And goodness knows I NEED inspiration these days!

Gaylyn, the food overhaul was hard but it had to be done. And I do feel better now that all of the junk is out of the house. Since my inlaws were here I did a lot more baking than usual (my father in law has a sweet tooth) and our meals were a lot less scaled down than usual. We had a decent amount of leftovers and with each container I had the same conversation with myself - "Don't throw this out. It is just a few slices of keylime pie. You won't eat it, but somebody will." Of course, I knew deep down that I probably would eat it so out it went. Some of the snacky stuff I sent to work with DH. Now the problem is that we don't have ANY food. I've got to get my butt to the grocery store pronto.

2frus - Thanks for the advice. I agree with everything you said, I just have to figure out how to apply it. One thing that also helped me was to go back and read some of my old posts. There was another thread that I used to post on regularly but one by one people started dwindling off and I was the last one standing. I read through what was left and I could hear the excitment and motivation in my own posts. I had let myself forget how good it felt to really throw myself into losing weight and exercising. I want to feel that again and the only way to do it is to JUST DO IT. So that is what I'm going to do.

I've found two things that I've been doing wrong. First of all, I'm not keeping myself busy enough. I'm avoiding housework, yard work, etc. just because I'm a little burned out after all of the projects we've been doing. But, those are the things that keep me occupied and out of the kitchen. Starting today, no more sitting still if there are other things I could be doing. My second problem area is not listening to my body. If I'm tired at 9:00 pm then I need to go to bed at 9:00pm instead of keeping myself awake with a bowl of snack mix. If I'm bored with what is on TV I need to get up and take a walk instead of just mindlessly flipping channels.

I've also decided that I could really use a sabbatical to regain my focus. I think a few days alone with no responsibilty would do wonders for getting me back in the right frame of mind. So, when Memorial Day rolls around DH is going to stay home with the kids while I drive down to Gulf Shores for a long weekend at the beach. I can't wait. I'll sleep when I want to sleep, I'll exercise when I want to exercise, and I'll eat when I'm hungry and not have to worry about anyone else. I think a few days of focusing on only those three things will help me get my body back in sync with my brain.

And now, I'm rambling - sorry! Have a great day you guys.

Lucky, that sounds like a good idea. Will you have a little fridge where you can put "the only things you'll eat"?
I could do that. Walk, sun, eat, sleep, walk, sun, sleep ....
Mmmm .... what a yummy little holiday!

holiday sounds like

Susan 125 Holy Moly!! I wanna be just like you when I grow up ...

I will, Susan. My parents have a condo down there so it is a little home away from home, just without all those pesky responsiblities! I'm already working on my to do list. So far I've got: 1. Go to bed early 2. Get up early (All the bedrooms have doors leading to their balconies so I leave that open and have sea gulls, the sun rising and an occasional boat motoring through the bay as an alarm clock - it is heaven) 3. Hang out at the beach or pool 4. REPEAT. There is a great farmer's market on the way into town so I'll stop on my way in and pick up some fresh fruits and veggies. Plus, there is are fish markets everywhere so I'll probably have fresh seafood for dinner each night.

Obviously, I'm not going to wait until the end of next month to get back on track but I'm looking forward to really, really, focusing on what is good for ME. I think it will do wonders for helping me get my groove back. Right now, I'm eating right and exercising because it is what I have to do to lose weight. But, honestly, I don't WANT to do it. I've lost that edge and need to get it back.

This is one thread today!

Susan on your 125 - you skinny minnie you!

Lucky - what a great idea about the holiday! I loves me some ME time!

Wow girls...you are all soooooo positive and motivated today! It is wonderful to read such focused and happy posts. I, too, have been pretty motivated and an happy to report that even with the holiday weekend I managed to lose 3 lbs. I weighed in at WW last night and am down to 135.2

After my meeting I went to the gym and used their body fat scale and was happy to see that I went down 2 percent in the past month as well I had a few weeks where I just didn't get into it, but I went 4 days last week and am trying for at least 3 this week The cardio workouts really seem to be helping and it only takes about 30-45 minutes to burn a lot of cals.

I think I've finally wrapped my head around getting back in shape. At 40 it's not nearly as easy as it once was, but I am certainly capable of doing it. I've got 10 days left until I leave for the Galapagos and I am feeling a little better about the whole bathing suit thing, but I wish I had gotten the "bug" a little earlier. If I did I might actually be looking forward to wearing skimpy clothes. Oh well....no matter....I'm still going to be on holiday for 12 days so WHO CARES

Daisie, 3 pounds is awesome. Especially at this stage of the game and after a holiday too! Impressive to say the least. Keep up the good work and I'll bet you will be wowing people in those skimpy clothes!

I think the exercise bug may have finally bitten me. I went out this morning for about a half hour walk/jog and I actually enjoyed it. It didn't feel like a chore at all. In fact, if I hadn't needed to come in and check on the kids I would have kept going. I'm heading to the gym tonight for weights and I'm looking foward to it. I guess it is true that losing weight is 99% attitude.

Oooh lucky, I've got some of that mojo too!

I went to the gym last night, did 1 hour back and abs training, an hour's body conditioning class (which included upright rows ) then an "induction" with some hopeless people, but I learned how to use some of the machines. Oh I did my back yesterday but forgot to use the lat pulldown mahcine What a clutz! Ah well, it'll still be there next time!

I've got 2 hours of kickboxing today otherwise I'd be gyming it again at lunch. I have my kit with me, but I need to get petrol and food at lunch! Never mind! I'm going again tomorrow night for weights and

My head is back in the game eating wise, I have lots of yummy and healthy food with me today, I think I might even resist the Hob Nobs! I'm going to start cooking me some proper meals for next week, I'm getting a bit sick of non-meal-like meals! I need a stir fry or a roast or something! None of this protein bar and porridge malarky!

Well done Daisy on your 3lbs

Daisy~~Good for you on the 3 lbs! Have fun on your vacation.

Lucky~~Your getway sounds wonderful. I find that I'm busier around the house these days and it's helping with keeping me on track because I'm not constantly thinking about what I could eat.

2frus~~Sounds like you're doing great!

We're taking an unplanned trip this weekend for my Aunt's 65th birthday party. Hopefully I'll keep it in check. Just because I'm away from home doesn't mean a food binge. Any tips??

Gaylyn

Little bits, Gaylyn. If there's goodies galore ... just have little bits.
Last summer we went to a 25th anniversary party. There were a couple of gals there that I adore but don't see very often. So when I had one alone for a bit, we walked around a couple of blocks and talked. Exercise and no food out there

Great advice Susan! I love the idea of going for a walk with a friend rather than lingering over coffee and cakes. What a great way to catch up and do something good for the both of you.

I've gone back to weighing myself only once a week but I can tell I'm flushing away all of this water weight I have. I can actually make a fist without feeling as if my fingers are plump little sausages. Ah, the wonders of drinking water.

I'm waiting for the twins to finish their breakfasts and then we are off to the gym. I've been doing cardio outside and saving weights for the gym but today is really cloudy and I think I'll do better in a class or on the elliptical than running/walking.

2frus, I'm glad to hear that your eating is on track. I feel better after only having two days of healthy meals under my belt. I won't pretend that I didn't enjoy the junk I ate over the past week but now that I'm eating healthily again I it doesn't seem at all appealing. I was eating my egg white vegetable omlette this morning and realized that I enjoy the taste just as much as the cinnamon rolls I made last week but it had the added bonus of making me feel good on the inside too. And talk about the calorie difference!

Gaylyn, I feel like the last person who should be passing out advice these days but I agree with Susan. Enjoy the birthday party and just keep your portions in check. I always find it helps to scope out what is being served and then wait half an hour or so before fixing my plate. It gives me a little time to think about what I REALLY want. If I don't wait then I end up just piling a little bit of everything on. Plus, if you wait a bit some of the more damaging foods may have already disappeared or been dug into so much that they don't look as appetizing. I try to make a point not to mill around the food either. Otherwise, I'll nibble this and nibble that until I'm about to pop. I put the food I want on my plate and then walk away. If there is a sit down meal I always start helping clear the table or clean up the kitchen which keeps me from staying at the table and being tempted by second helpings. I am sure you will do fine!

And now it is off to the gym with me. Have a great day!

Yeah, I'm a fine one to give advise but here goes, I find the 3 bite rule helps a lot, you get a taste of the food without going overboard... BUT going for a walk AWAY from the food is an even better idea... Also keep a glass of water or wine in one hand and a napkin in the other and keep talking, it's not polite to talk with your mouth full ...