Hey Gang,

Well I came from hanging out with my cousing today. Awesome time together. We went to my sister's for the football game. Redskins lost - that is a real bummer to me anyway. I did good with all the football party yummies that were around. I had one Miller light, 3 steamed shrimp and 1 tortilla chip. So I know this is something I can do. I have overcome some of the hardest things I faced in the past - eating out and going to parties. (OK, it is only once or twice, but knowing I can do it one time means I can do it going forward.)

I found out the "almost official date" for my cousin's wedding. It is July 1st and will be in Florida (which means Disney will be pushed to this time period).

So I am trying to think was a realistic goal for this wedding will be. I am 284 right now and I have about 5 months to go. I do not want to be overly zealous because I know we will have high and lows through this process. I am thinking 225 which would mean a bit about 12 pounds a month. This is actually about were I was when my sister got married and everyone thought I looked good since I had lose about 40 pounds for that wedding.

I know I am doing this for me, but part of me really wants to use this to show myself off to my family.

Any thoughts.

MommaAshley - my stats - SW - 301; CW 284; GW: 150 (180 by the end of the year). weighing on Sundays and usually once during the week.

Have a good night everyone and take care - Erin

Good Morning everyone!!!

Thanks goodness it's a new day. My daughter is doing better. I found out yesterday she has a severe case of strep throat instead of the flu. The fever made it seem like the flu. We have the antibiotics going.

I did really good yesterday, I ate right and walked on the treadmill but then for dinner I ruined it. I had too many slices of pizza with my no fat salad. I have craved pizza for the past month. The pizza is gone thankfully and my craving is over. It's time to get back too it. I hate it when I do that to myself. Do any of you sit and think "I don't need to be eating this" while you shovel it into your mouth? I just wish the mouth would listen to the brain.

On a better note, I'll have to do double on the treadmill today. I really don't have a certain day I weigh in. Usually I get on it each morning before I get ready for work. I know this is not a good thing but it's keeps me on track.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Good morning everyone.

Ever feel like you're DYING to weigh yourself?? Tomorrow is my weigh in day and I'm so anxious! My goal is to lose 2 lbs per week and I'm 99% positive I did this week. I've been very good, haven't gone over my fat grams at all. I actually weighed myself on Friday night (BAD ME! lol) and I weighed the same as on my Monday morning weigh in so that's a good thing since I normally weigh 3-5 less in the morning than at night. I'm just hoping for my 2 lbs and anything else is fabulous!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend, making good choices and feeling great!

Talk to you all soon!

Hey gang,

Thought I would check in before the games and heading over to my mother in law's for a birthday party.

Katrina - I am glad that your daughter is feeling better now that she has the medicine. It sounds like at least it did not go on too long before you found out it was strep.

There were plenty of times when I was eating and I was not hungry and I would think to myself I should not be eating, why?, or some similiar thought. Now, if I catch myself doing that I try think it through a bit longer and see if I am really hungry. I do give in to temptation, but I try to limit how much and when I give in.

Hope everyone is doing well and take care - Erin

Oh wow...I am soooo going to have to go back through here & make some notes & sort everyone out. LOL I'll get it, don't worry! In the meantime, I'll refer to "somene said" a whole lot.

Someone said something about drugs, and I wanted to throw my 2-cents into the ring because I have taken Meridia. I took it for 2 months, almost 2 years ago. The 1st month was fantastic, I conquered my constant hunger, and also lost 12 lbs. (which of course I've since gained back + more) The 2nd month was awful: I was engulfed in a cloud of depression unlike anything I'd ever known. Since then, I've struggled with depression issues. There very well be no correlation, but in my mind there is a very big connection (and after all, that's what matters, right?)

Good afternoon everyone!

I watched the National Body Challenge yesterday. When a nutritionist came into one family's house and removed all the unhealthy food, I realized I have been eating too many unhealthy things and relying more on exercise to lose weight. I'm glad they showed some healthier replacements, like ground turkey instead of regular ground beef, etc. Looks like I have some shopping to do!

Welcome to all of our new LOSERS! Did you ever think you'd like being called a loser? LOL Well, it's a nickname I'm striving to earn now. I don't think I ever posted my stats, and I don't have an accurate before weight, but right after the baby was born is the number I'll use.

Ht - 5'8"
BW - 225
CW - 203
GW - 170

I'm using WW to count points, and I'm exercising. However, I must admit I can be very lazy about journaling my food. But when I journal and count my points, I lose! It makes such a big difference looking at everything you eat in a day written down on a sheet of paper. today, I got up early with my husband (he's a marine) and when he went to "PT" I did the first video of the Firm's "Transfirmer" series. WHOA - kicked my butt, I have to tell you. By the end of the video, my kids were awake, and my 4 year old did the bonus stretching session with me. LOL-that was a sight to see.

As for weight loss drugs, I took Xenical once for about 3 months before my wedding. I only lost about 5 pounds, because I didn't make the lifestyle changes necessary to lose and keep off weight. After getting married, I really packed on weight.

I have 2 dear friends who took Phentermine. One, she was a size 18 when she started. She got down to a size 10, and looked AMAZING! However, as soon as she quit taking it, she gained all the weight back, and is now a size 26. My other friend took it, and lost and kept off 10 pounds.

Right now, I'm trying the natural ways of boosting my metabolism. I learned that the more muscle you put on, the more calories you burn all day. So I bought The Firm series since it combines strength training with cardio. I take a multivitamin, a b-complex vitamin, and I only drink water and green tea. (And to my green tea, I add a little shot of POM juice - it makes it sweet without artificial sweeteners, and adds a great boost of anti-oxidant vitamins.)

I just got serious today about sticking to everything. My weigh in day will be Mondays. I will post again on Monday with a gain/loss report and let you gals know how my loss is coming along!!

Here's hoping by next we'll all be losers together!!!

Sarah

.....but maybe I need to cut back on my threads so I can keep track!

I did so well Saturday, I didn't really sit down at all! After our 3 mile walk, we came home and I started cleaning up around the house a bit and felt really energized. I spent some quality time with the BF and then we went out and ran some errands. After that we went to a local hangout and waited out a rain/snow shower until around midnight. Even though I drank water in between drinks, I guess I had one drink too many and was sick when I got home. I also must confess that I smoke socially when I am out having a cocktail or two, so it could have been too many of those as well. At any rate, I was VERY lazy yesterday and spent most of the day on the couch! Stuck to good eating, though, although I DID have sushi and I know that is FULL of carbs.

AS FOR WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS - my two cents goes something like this: Just Say No. I have tried Xenadrine, Dexatrim natural, One-a-Day w/EGCG or whatever it is called - all of them made me TERRIBLY sick. Some caused heart palpitations and others gave me HORRIBLE stomach cramps that sent me to the ER. I have never tried the prescription kinds, though.

FOR ALL OF THE NEWBIES SINCE I WAS HERE LAST - !!!! And to make it easier, I have written my stats and current weight-loss/getting in shape methods all in my public profile - I know, it's a lazy thing to do, but I figured for those of you who already know my stats and story, you don't have to keep seeing it! LOL

How is everyone doing today?

Greetings to everyone! I am here because of an invite . Thank you very much! I have only been on the site for a few days but I have found it to be amazing. Everyone is amazing also. This is going to be tremendous help. I have been in touch with some of you already, I plan to keep in touch. I will post all my info later. I worked a 2am shift today and I need to go to sleep. I am just pooped! Lots more later!
Catherine

Well as some of you know that I have a few weddings to go to this year and that is part of my motivation to stay on this weight track path. I know have been give another date (of course, earlier than another wedding I have to go to). June 3rd. This is a friend I have known my whole life (literally - he lived down the street from me and our parents are good friends). So there will be people from high school I have not seen since then (more motivation).

I have a long drive tomorrow to go to an office to help with some tech issues so I will not have much time for exercise, but I have learned to watch the calories on the road.

I also I have my first exercise dvd coming from netflix on wed so I will have something new to get into. I figured this way once I get bored I will return it and make sure another exercise dvd is on the list waiting to come out.

I was feeling a little tired and sick today, besides that all is well. I am down another 2 pounds to 284.

Ok - as an update _ i just order my dress for all my events- the first thing is at the end of Feb, then we have the wedding in June & July - it is a size 20 (currently evening gowns I have bought were a 22 or 24) so I hope it will fit by the end of Feb. I figured I could always take it in as I lose for the other wedding. Plus I bought the matching shawl to help hide the bumps when I first can fit into it and help as it gets loose.

Hi guys,

I'm back online after my nice three day weekend.

I hope everyone is doing well.

I'm ready for the week to begin.

Take care.

Lisa

Welcome back Lisa! Hope your weekend was well!

Hi Ladies

Hope you are doing well on this Tuesday ! I apologize for a delay in posting, but with the 3 day weekend we spent a great deal of time working on the home we're renovating, chasing after my 9 MO Sam, and other stuff.

Catherine ~ to the journey & to the group ! I look forward to seeing and hearing more from you and about you !!

Erin ~ I read your posts and wanted to say Congrats on another 2 lbs on weightloss !!! Keep up the good work. I think you can reach your goal of losing 12 lbs a month, and being ready to look beautiful in your new dress your ordered for the July 1st wedding !! I hope you knock em dead !!

Diva ~ Girl I wish I could exercise like you do. But right now I'd fall flat on my face. Keep up that awesome kick butt exercise and your eating right. That's great that you've got the BF to do this with !!

Katie ~ WOOHOO on you watching the National Body Challenge and cleaning out the kitchen of all the "bad stuff" and honing in on the good stuff and what's right to do. GO GIRL !!!

Katrina ~ I hope your daughter is better and recovering from strep. Hope your exercising and doing well is still on the upside !! Keep it up !!

Ingrid ~ Girlie, I must say I am NOT DYING to get on the scales. I dread it, I wish I was excited about weighing in as you were !! GO GIRL !! YAY on staying on track !!

Sarah ~ I LOVED your post, I was laughing reading about your 4 yo exercising with you. TOo cute and too sweet.. I want to know more about "Transfirmer" if you don't mind. You sound like you're on track and sticking to it !!

Lori"PinkSh00z" ~ Glad to see you back &Hope to see more postings from you !!

TO ALL the Ladies ~ You're all such inspiration, you give me motivation. You all encourage and support it's WONDERFUL !!!

I did have my personal WEIGH IN yesterday and have lost an additional 2 lbs for a total of 13 lbs. I was so excited - just wish I could lose more !! I also went to Target yesterday and purchased Denise Austin's Blast Away The Prounds - Indoor Walk ! - It has 3 15 min walks that = 1 outdoor mile. And then a Stretch !! I am so excited about it & will report back how it is !

Keep on Right ~ & those calories !!

KEEP IT UP !!!!

Hello Everyone!

Elizabeth asked for more info on my Transfirmer - so here it is! There is a company called The Firm - they are based in Columbia, South Carolina and they make lots of exercise videos. Their plan combines strength training with cardio work, so that you can build muscle and up your metabolism. For more info on what they offer, you can go to firmdirect. com to read about it. However, I bought my Transfirmer set from QVC because it was cheaper there. The set comes with 2 steps, and 4 videos, and an eating plan. I'm not using the eating plan, because I'm following WW right now. There is also a calendar that shows which rotation to use the videos in.

They promise reults in 10 workouts! I just did my second workout, so I'll keep you guys posted on if there are any scale or measurement changes after the 10 workouts!! You can also find deals on ebay sometimes, and they have an older set that came with a "fanny lifter" instead of The Transfirmer.

Everyone chime in - what exercise are you doing? Home videos? If so, which ones? Gym? If so, cardio, strength or both? Walking? Running?

This will be short - sorry Ladies! Work is CRAZEEE today!

Sarah - what happens after workout rotation #10 - do you start all over at #1 again? I might have to look into this Transfirmer stuff....

I am behind on my workouts thanks to a lazy Sunday and 2 seperate friends with their own crisis, so tonight is when I try to make up for it.