After an extremely stressful day at work....I went to Bodypump. Yes. It's true. I even (gasp) put weights on my bar this time! (the smallest ones). I did much better this time and did not have the whole floppy leg thing occurring afterwards. I was also able to do a bit more than last time but my weak spots are clearly still deep squats and lunges. I did most of them though. Even if they were not that deep.

Everyone should be pleased to know that my right boob stayed encased in my one of my new, tighter, workout bras. Actually as this is day one of TOM the ladies were a bit squished in there. They will deflat significantly in the next two days or so. I felt kind of bad for my right boob and on the way home I was tempted to open my sunroof for some air and free the boob to the winds but I restrained myself. I had to think about the fact that I have trained the dogs to want to get off of their leashes now the final block from home and run free. My boob might get into the same habit and start popping out in various places throughout the County.

I have to make some supper right now but I'm not motivated. I have had over 150 ounces of water today and now am enjoying a glass of chardonnay. Don't tell the diet ****s.

ox
SC

Good morning, ladies! Aw, you guys, I'm all touched 'n' stuff - you missed me! I'm sprawling on my bed here in Bangkok and BLUSHING! I missed you guys too!



Before I forget - Aud, I loved your first post! Very inspirational! Did I already tell you all my new motto? Forgive me if I'm repeating myself, but I'm ALL OVER this quotation from Henry David Thoreau right now:

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

This is like my WATCHWORD - I'm considering getting it tattooed, even, once I've reached goal. I'm going to add it to my Inspirational Montage thingy on the front of the fridge (largely pictures of me and pictures of Drew Barrymore, along with a list of dates with target weights and ACTUAL weights, so I can keep recording my progress & thinking about it).

Oh! And I'm v. impressed by this whole Ripped adventure, Joyce! Go you, trying new things. I join you in being intrigued by this whole protein powder thing - I'm pretty sure it's available SOMEWHERE in Bangkok, and I think I might see if I can track some down.

Meanwhile, let me explain my absence - on Monday I went down to Pattaya with one of my coworkers. We're enjoying the half term holiday this week, and my friend S, who used to live down in Pattaya (a town a couple of hours' drive South, on the coast), was going to head down and visit some friends, swinging by the Chon Buri fabric market on the way. Now I LOVE this girl - she's new to our school, she's Canadian, she's maybe 10 years older than me, and she's FABULOUS. Always dresses really sassy and interesting, adores high heels, and she's just great fun and bright and outrageous and all this. She and my mum would get on like a house on fire (my mum has more shoes and handbags and accessories than Imelda Marcos ever owned, I swear), and although I'm not much given to wearing anything but flats, I do love sequins and dressing fabulously myself. And I've remarked on her ensembles before now, and she's told me she got the fabric from Chon Buri fabric market and had the outfit made - that's not uncommon here, because there are SO many tailors, and it's no more expensive than buying it from a shop would be.

So anyway, she invited me to tag along with her, and we just had a terrific couple of days - I don't think I stopped laughing the whole damn time! And, crumbs, I spent a helluvalot more than I planned! I've got about 15 bolts of fabric (2 or 3 meters of each) which I plan to have made into fabulous outfits as I continue to progress towards goal - I've promised myself I'm NOT going to go see my tailor again until my favourite skirt is actually falling off and needs taking in. That's going to be a nice visit! But now I'm armed with a whole heap of fabric that will make fabuous outfits for the New Me.

AND I have shoes! I have some ridiculously cute flats and 2 pairs of gorgeous kitten heels! And, you should understand, I pretty much don't DO 'grown up' shoes, normally - but this is partly a weight thing: they just HURT, damn it! So it feels so fantastic to have these two lovely sexy strappy little pairs of heels which I can wear! They are comfortable! They look great! And my pal S is just fantastic - she'd been promising to buy me some heels after I'd lost 20lb, and she was a total cheerleader about the whole wearing heels thing, and getting used to higher heels. She took me round a whole host of shoe shops, and we both went a little crazy.

Somewhere, my mother is crying with joy, and she doesn't even know why! (Other mums get mad with their kids for skipping school, or stealing candy from the corner shop, or taking drugs, or shagging around? I was a very virtuous little bookworm of a kid, so MY mum, who's something of a Diva [...er, over time I have become more like her in some ways, at least when it comes to sequin appreciation], had a mighty Drama Queen strop with me when I didn't want to go shoe shopping at the age of 15. My shoes were falling off and full of holes and I just wanted to stay in my room and read my SciFi. My mother stormed off out of the room, for all the world like Elizabeth Taylor or Greta Garbo or someone, wailing in despair: "Where did I go WRONG?!?"....so, like I said, right now I think she's probably sensed the fact that I own fantastic shiny high heels, using her Motherly Spidey Senses, and is brimming with glee.)

Anyway, it was a very Sex in the City kind of trip - lots of shopping, delicious meals in restaurants by the sea, lots of good conversations, lots and lots of laughter. We walked all down the beach front road and all the way back, shopping like crazy, and man, were we ever knackered by the end! Afterwards S worked out how far we'd walked, and we realised it was 10k (in typical tropical 100 degree weather) - so well done us!

Also, S is very health-conscious and active, and she's low-carbing it - so dining out was a lot of fun. I *did* join her in a vodka tonic on Monday evening, and a sugar-free truffle - but I felt pretty sure we'd earned it, and it's the first alcoholic drink to have passed my lips since the start of January. I'm not looking at my lifestyle change as being about total denial - just making good choices, and that allows for special occasions once in a while. I didn't feel a bit guilty!

Oh! And OH MY GOD, the place where we were staying was SENSATIONAL. It was a house belonging to a couple of S's friends, from when she lived in Pattaya. And they were away, they weren't even home, but they'd told the live-in maid to expect us. (!!!!!) Now you know some people have a guest room in their house? These folks have FOUR GUEST SUITES, complete with individual bathrooms! And these suites are all decorated with stunning fabrics and art and stuff, each based around a different theme! I mean, it was like staying in a very very expensive swanky boutique hotel - 'my' bedroom was "the elephant room", decorated with lots of elephant-themed images (and including a couple of paintings DONE BY ELEPHANTS from the nearby elephant village) and it was bigger than my whole damn studio apartment! (Which, granted, my studio apartment is the size of a postage stamp - but still!) AND they had this gorgeous outdoor pool, so we got to go for a swim the next morning!

!!!!

It was a fabulous glimpse into how The Other Half live, and I was just blown away by their kindness in letting us take advantage of their hospitality WHEN THEY WEREN'T EVEN HOME!

The next day we met up with a couple more of her friends and went out for breakfast with them, then we went to a spa where my friend had a 2 hour Thai massage and I had a manicure and pedicure, and then we did some more shopping, visited with ANOTHER of her pals, and then finally headed back to Bangkok. The traffic was a little crazy, but we got home in the end, and I headed straight to my play rehearsal, toting about 20 bags of shopping with me!

I had my mate (the one who's in the play with me) over yesterday, and we watched 'Ugly Betty' (because I thought it would help her get in character) and did some work on the play (because the director is lovely, but he's not really being very constructive and supportive to her - and she really needs that, bless her), and I really did enjoy it. I kind of wished that I'd gone ahead and tried my hand at directing something for The Fringe, actually, because I do enjoy that a lot...next time, I guess. Anyway, she's coming along really well, although she's finding it kind of hard work to get her teeth into.

And finally, I heard back about Neil Simon's Rumours, that I auditioned for? And the callback audition thingy is now going to be on Sunday. Fingers crossed! I SO want a good-sized role to get my teeth into - please give me a part!

Um. So, yeah - that's been my week so far, and it's sort of been whizzing by! I did manage to come online and do some catching up with reading yesterday, but didn't get time to make a proper post. But I was thinking about you all! And telling my mate about you guys, and how awesome 3FC is!

Yeahhhhh!!!! BAB's back!!!! I always love reading your posts...you have such an exciting life...I guess now I'm livin' vicariously through....LOL!!!

Glad for you...sounds like you guys had an awesome time!!! I agree with you wholeheartedly...it's not about denial...it's about making "smart choices" for your lifestyle/health and most importantly...enjoying life!

Well, no workout for me tonight (although I did get in a good morning session)...been drinking hot tea w/lemon all day...sweating like a pig...hope I feel better by morn...this being sick stuff really s*cks! Joyce

The week is almost over! I'm always running around like crazy after a holiday weekend to try to get caught up at work. I think the short weeks are worse...

In other news, I saw a new doctor yesterday. I moved three years ago and have continued to see my doctor that is 60+ miles away. So I finally decided to get a local doctor and went in for a physical (which I realized I hadn't had one in several years). I'm OP and going to the gym 4+ times a week...but still discouraging when she looks up from my file to tell me my BMI is too high and wants to know what I am doing/going to do about it. Fortunately, I had a good answer. Still, if she had seen me 20+ pounds ago....Curious who in the group is tracking/using BMI as a goal.

Sorry to digress, but I am getting caught up on posts for the week - Lynn, did your trainer say why you shouldn't read on the elliptical? And is that his/her rule on all cardio equipment? I prefer to listen to music, but I do occassionally bring a book/magazine along. Just wondering what the rationale was. Personally, I don't like the ones with the moving arms. I know you get a more-complete workout, but I can't go as fast so it's harder to raise my heartrate.

Happy Thursday!

Oooohhh. This is not good. It's 6:30am and I already need a nap!

Crumbs, Joyce - you look after yourself, girl!

Well, I seem to have slightly fallen off the wagon today. But I'm not going to freak out about it - I'm just thinking through the choices I made and figuring out how to make better choices next time.

See, I ran out of breakfast foodstuffs, and so breakfast consisted of a mini Babybel cheese, 10 macadamia nuts, and a mug of coffee - less filling than my usual bacon & eggs style breakfast. And then my appointment at the Apple shop ended up lasting much longer than expected, so I was RAVENOUS by lunchtime. Ate a light late lunch, and was thus still sort of hungry when shopping for dinner.

So it's probably unsurprising that, whereas I'd PLANNED to eschew kidney beans and tortillas, and make a low carb (beanless) chili to serve on lettuce for me & 2 friends, instead I bought flour tortillas AND kidney beans, carbs be damned.

Then I told myself I'd not eat any tortillas, just serve myself portions on a bd of lettuce. But this, as it turned out, was more willpower than I possess.

And I drank 2 glasses of Shiraz. So - not really very Low Carb at all.

BUT I'm comforting myself with the thought that (1) I didn't order anything bad for lunch, nor did I buy any cake/chocolate/cookies, despite being surrounded by them whilst shopping. And what I did eat, although not ideal by any means, was at least still pretty low GI. I mean - it's not good, but at least I wasn't stuffing my face with oreos and chocolate mousse-cake, you know?

(And it was lovely to have people over for dinner. I do love to cook, and this is the first time I've had people over in a year and a half. It was a really lovely evening.)

So I have learned :
(1) always make sure you have enough breakfast food in stock for the morning;
(2) do not shop while hungry;
(3) do not assume you will be able to cook something for other people and not indulge yourself.

Curses. But tomorrow is another day, as Scarlett O'Hara once said. And I'll not repeat these mistakes. We live and learn. (And I must admit, the chilli was YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!)

Hey all...(while hacking my guts up..)!!! Just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doin'. Well, one good thing has come out of me being sick...I can no longer smoke cigarettes! I tried yesterday (nicotene starved)...and really paid the price...I even tried again this morn (and couldn't finish it)...I know..I know...no sympathy here...but it's hard to not be able to do something that brings you some kind of twisted pleasure. I know it's good for me...and I really want to kick the habit...I was thinking...I'll see how long this lasts...maybe this could be my time!

Anyways...I crawled out of bed this morn and did my 30 min. HIIT on the eliptical. Actually...I feel worn out...but my lungs feel a bit better. This sickness/flu/whatever is causing my chest to feel like I have an elephant sitting on it! I'm still taking my "Ripped" pills both day and night. But no weight training until my lungs have cleared a bit more. I'm not going to give up on this program. It's weird though...it's day 3 and I really have to force myself to eat...perhaps because of the gallon of water you have to drink while taking these pills. If you don't drink that much, I suspect (from the posts I've heard on bodybuilding.com) that you'll have stomach cramps, pains, headaches, and possibly kidney stones! That works out fine for me cuz I need that kind of motivation to drink my water! I know while I'm taking these pills...I can f*ck around!

Gonna rest today...and do something I never do...take the day off work...by that I mean work from home! Don't want to be around people or even see their face! Ughhh!

BAB - Sounds like you've really got your head on straight! (as, of course, to be on crooked! LOL!) However your #3 thing learned. I think you can cook anything for your guests and not be tempted...I just think that the key to not being tempted is to have something prepared for yourself that would be equally as satisfying/delishous to you at the same time...then...you could serve their tacos...while you much on one of your favorite low-carb dishes! I think the biggest lesson we should all learn is "if you don't plan/prepare to succeed, you are, in essence preparing/planning to fail"...original words spoken by very tall, wise, hornball of a chick...Joyce..tata...getting some zzzzz's....

OMG!!!!

Okay, so I've been sticking to around 20g of carbs per day, right?

I was thinking the burritos would up it to maybe 40 or 50g?

WOW, am I ever stupid!

Fitday tells me that the chili and flour tortillas upped my carb count to 130 carbs today!!!

Can you hear me screaming from all the way across the planet? Damn, damn, DAMN.

I mean, it's an eye-opener, to be sure, and, wow, won't be making THAT mistake again but - damn.

Poor Faye! But we've all done that at one time! You just gotta just move on!
What a great trip! I'm so jealous. If I ditched the husband and kids and signed on as teacher somewhere fun, I could be you!!! (Reality Check) But even if I was 20 years younger and unattached, I probably wouldn't have the nerve to go teach abroad and take great trips. Too bad for me!!

Joyce, I was just locked in an office with someone who is evidently as sick as you are so I am now sucking down Airborne - another supplement like Emergen-C. Airborne is the one that was supposedly developed by teachers to prevent colds and flu. I'm really really hoping it works!!!! No carbs in Airborne, unlike Emergen-C. You should go on drinking tea and lots of water and soup and remember that colds and flu go away, sooner or later.

Laura, the trainer's attitude is "If it doesn't hurt you, it can't be working." She's the only trainer at the little city gym I attend and also the fitness supervisor person. I've never signed on for her personal training, because I don't like her exercise classes. She pushes people too much. I'm over 50 and overweight (alot!) and I would rather be careful and continue exercising than injury myself and have to take time off. There's a happy medium there somewhere so that you can get a good workout without all the pain. I used to do 30 mins of eliptical a day and I know if I didn't have a book, I wouldn't be there every day. I also know that even when I was reading, I raised my heart rate, built up a sweat and ended up a little out of breath, so I always felt it was a good workout. I've switched to a step aerobic class mostly because I needed a change, so now I only do the eliptical once or twice a week on non-class days. What I need to add is some of the machines, especially for arms, shoulders and back, but it's a little gym and I don't have a lot of time to wait for a free machine, so lots of times it's just the eliptical and some crunches on the mat.

I weighed in yesterday and dropped another pound, so I'm at 13 lost since the first of the year. Really wish it was a higher total, but I seem to be losing about a pound a week so that's better than nothing! I haven't been totally OP in recent weeks. I do all right during the week, but things like peanuts and cashews and rum with diet coke seem to sneak in on the weekends. At least I feel like I know what I'm doing wrong. Coffee has been a huge temptation lately too (cool, rainy weather and not enuf sleep) and I can't drink coffee without some kind of cream! And Splenda! But again, a pound a week is better than nothing and I know what's stopping me.

Just a short note to tell you girls,good-bye I'm giving up low carbing. It doesn't work for me anymore.I was on the l/cing for the past 2 years, I'm going to take brief Hiatus for a while and will decide on what WOE is best for me. I tried them all,and right now I think WW or SB are the best,and will be heading to one of the two,as I need my carbs.especially the grains.

I will continue being on the Exercising thread until the end of the month.

Thanks for all the support & motivation you've given to me, in the time I spend here.Wishing you all the best in this low carb plan.

Hugs BB

Lynar - 1 lb of fat loss per week...that's great!!! 3500 calories burned!!! congratulations girl!!! Be proud of that...especially since you were able to have your rum and coke and nuts and still drop the weight...sort of like "having your cake and eating it too"...great job!!! I totally agree with you though...about the trainer being "too hard"...she sounds like she doesn't know what she's talking about...losing weight and getting fit...certainly does not have to hurt! And it's not a one size fits all...I too was concerned when SIC mentioned how much she hurt...that kind of pain can discourage, injure and take you out of the fight totally and it is completely unnecessary. So glad to hear your doing well.

BB - I don't know why..but when I read your post I almost cried...felt like I was losing a friend...but then I thought...wait...she said she'd go to the exercise thread...and I'm there too so...I dried up the tears!!!! This is not a one size fits all thing...perhaps this extreme low-carb thing is not the way for you right now....remember to just try to eat healthy with whole foods (fruits, legumes, fiber, protein) and get regular exercise (even if just a 20 min brisk walk)...and never forget...stay healthy and happy...that's all that counts in the end...wish you the best and I'm really going to be looking forward to seeing you on the exercise thread!!! Joyce

BB, I will really miss hearing about Cape Cod, one of my favorite places in the world. I wish I thought I could retire there!!! but I guess I'm a southerner now, even if I never quite get the accent. Best of luck!
BTW, I spent years "talking" on the Weight Watchers forums. I was doing the Core plan, which is kind like low carb, but they let you have whole grains and, of course, WW has the flex points for everything else. Not a bad plan except that it didn't work for me. But maybe it's what you need? And the forums are great!

BB, I'm gonna really miss you. You can always come in here and chat with us if you have the time. Once I met goal, I ended up switching back to counting calories. Then I tried SB for a month or two. Then back to Atkins and now I'm just watching my carbs some and calories both. I can't seem to find the plan that will work perfect for me, but my eating isn't perfect so I shouldn't expect to live maintenance without a few blips.

I truly hope you find what works best for you.

Joyce, you are totally right. I'm finding it that laying the ceramic tile and grouting are totally within my capabilities. I don't think that hiring a contractor would have made it more beautiful. I'm being super meticulous about it looking perfect cause after all I'm the one that has to live with these new floors. I'm also finding that this isn't as difficult as one would imagine and perfectly reasonable for a woman to be doing. After all we know what 12 inches is. LOL, most men think 6 inches is 12. My laundry room and bathroom are now completed. So, tomorrow starts my work on the kitchen. I'll start with painting the ceiling first. Then the walls. Then pulling up my old linoleum and begin my new ceramic tiling for my kitchen floor. I'm totally stoked about how well this is going. The only problem I've noticed is my hip joints are hurting from so many hours spent on a cement floor and so many times of getting up and down.

Lily - You got that right!!! Anyway..woman tend to be a **** of alot more patient, tedious and meticulous when doing anything. Face it...we're just more detailed! Trust me...I know your pain...I had body aches galore...I remodelled every room in my house by myself. Carrying 104 boxes of marble up two flights of stairs and marbling the entire bathroom (walls, jacuzzi surround, shower stall - also installing a new gold trim shower door, etc., etc.)

I'm gonna try and save you some aches and pains before you lay the tile in the kitchen floor. You do not necessarily have to remove the linoleum...if the linoleum has been on there for many years, it may start to tear rip and you'll find yourself on the floor for hours and hours chiseling that crap off! Here's a couple of options. You could tear off large pieces and take a big sponge and a bucket and squeeze water over the stuck pieces...wait a few minutes and scrape....OR (my suggestion) leave the linoleum alone and install luan right over it!!! You'll have a nice flat surface with no sticky glue lumps, and save yourself hours on the floor!

P.S. I did the same thing to my kitchen and after I did all that damn work...realized what I am telling you now! Hope this helps save your knees! Joyce

Ughghghg . . . been so sick . . . guess I've cyber caught your bug bambi? Please tell me you're better?

Hugs and Best Wishes to you Beachie -will miss you! Hope you'll check in.

Been off work with this CRUD . . . it goes from one body system to the next it seems . . . check back in when I'm better . . .