Hi there - it's been a busy week.

Exercise update:

Wednesday: Accelerated Core Secrets
Thursday: 90 minute walk
Friday: 90 minute walk
Nothing so far this weekend except gardening.

Hi Tatia ~ Welcome - good luck with your weight loss quest. I LOVE marmite, lol.

Dawn ~ WTG on your exercise this week.

Amanda ~ Good score on the $400 for the study. I'd be interested in the results as I have PCOS which was only diagnosed about 18 months ago due to hormonal issues.

Kat ~ Sorry you've been so busy this week - hope next week's a bit quieter for you. No exciting plans for VD here. DH hates the commercialism of it but I don't, mainly because we don't have an anniversary to celebrate. GL with your goal - there's nothing like knowing you're seeing people you haven't seen in a while to spring you into action

Chelle ~ Sorry to hear about your surrogate father {{{hugs}}}

Nothing exciting going on here. Tidy and cleaning this morning and we may go for a drive this afternoon. It's a beautiful, hot day so we may go to the river for a swim.

Hi all! Thanks for the warm welcome!

OBsMama: I live in Southend-on-Sea. It's primarily known for day-trippers who want to come down and spend a day at the seaside. Before I came here, I had never even seen the sea before! I grew up in Cincinnati and the closest I ever came to a great body of water was the Ohio River!

How funny that I chose my name and didn't even know there was a book called Mummy Tummy! I'll have to check it out. I'm looking for any and all means of supprt at the moment!

DawnJohn: I love London, too! But my husband was born and raised there and still travels there for work every day so we don't get up there as often as I'd like. He just thinks of it as a dirty, congested city whereas I totally love the museums and the old buildings and such.

Chellefox: It's nice to meet you and I'm so sorry to hear about your surrogate father.

Silverfern: I thought people in NZ ate Vegemite? My husband and step-son love Marmite, too but they were raised on it. It's definitely not an American tradition and I doubt anyone who did not grow up eating it would ever come to enjoy it!

We just bought a digital scale so now I can properly weight myself. The bad thing is, I weigh a few pounds more (about 5lbs) than I thought I did!
I've started using my bellydance DVDs again. Have you guys ever heard of http://The Belly Twins?/ Their DVDs are really awesome, low-impact work-outs. Plus, I've decided to quit worrying about my weight and go back to my bellydance classes. I had been close to joining my instructor's performing group but had a knee injury. After that, I just lost motivation for everything. It's been a year since I've attended a class!

It's such a gray, rainy day today! Blah!

Hello,

Was just wondering if you had room for another? I am a 32 year old mother of two, DD 10 and DS 1 year. I am married to a supportive loving husband, however I have about 40 lbs to lose and would like to do so by the end of the year. My first goal is set for St. Pattys day = 10lbs and my second goal is Easter = 20lbs. I'm standing up in a wedding in June and refuse to be the "big bridesmaid", so i'm looking for a little support and I'm sure I will find it here.

I'm currently doing WW with a SB twist. Trying to load up on at least 7 fruits and veggies a day, that is my goal. Sticking with Exercise has always been a challenge for me so my goal is to ride my exercise bike at least 30 minutes 5 X's a week. however I like the whole 10,000 steps a day goal as well. Just need to find something I like and stick with it I guess.

I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Hi MotivatedMomma! Have you been fitted for bridesmaid dresses yet? Imagine their surprise when they have to take you in at the last moment because you've lost 30 pounds?

Hi Mummy Tummy, I have already bought the dress and its sitting in my closet, I did however buy it one size too small against the wishes of the store,,,,, Now I have to lose weight right??

Hello everyone!

I'm sorry I've been a little MIA lately. We had 4 families look at our house over the weekend. So far, no news. This is so stressful. I'm trying to keep my house ready at a moments notice, but with 4 kids it is hard. Actually, cleaning has been my only form of excercise lately. And as a result, I've regained a couple of pounds. Well, that and the nutter bars, (I know, more peanut butter and chocolate -- I must be grossing you out, Silverfern )

I am such a stress eater. And to be honest, I also sabotage myself. I know that after I lost the 8 or so pounds, suddenly I was buying treats at the store again. What was I thinking? Literally, I deserve a reward/treat/perk for all the stress. Does anyone have advice on how to change the dialogue in ones head?

((Chelle)) I am sorry about your surrogate father. It is never easy to say goodbye to someone you love. ((hugs and prayers))

Tomorrow is our 14th anniversary.....yes we married on Valentines Day! I will be making bean and cheese enchiladas, guacamole, and bake cookies with the kids. The enchiladas are actually fairly healthy. I use low fat refried beans, and tortilla shells that were made without lard. So, not great on Tuesday but not to bad either.

Nancy

LOL @MotivatedMomma! I guess that is motivation, eh?

Backtome, you're totally right, you DO deserve a treat! Keeping the house tidy is hard enough, let alone worrying about keeping it in a state of perfection with 4 kids! My toddler, on her own, is hurricane enough! Have you tried buying yourself a CD, book or DVD for a reward instead of sweeties? Good luck with selling your home. And Happy Anniversary!

I've been doing okay lately. I feel like I'm really gaining control of my eating habits. It isn't so tough to say no anymore. I was in the bkaery this morning for a loaf of bread and a gingerbread man for my daughter and I wasn;t even tempted by the chocolate eclairs. I thought about having one and then told myself no, took my bread and left. Yeah me! I've discovered these low-fat crisps at the grocery store. Crisps are what the British call potato chips (and chips, to the British, are what we call french fries - just to confuse you). They at least satisfy my craving when I want to pig out. And luckily, they come in individual bags, instead of one giant bag.

Hi All, Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Gosh it feels like I've been away forever. Welcome to everyone that's new. This is a great place for support. I do wonder what happened to Michelle aka stagemomx3? Haven't heard from her in a while.

Chelle - I'm sorry to here about your surrogate dad, my heart goes out to you and your family.

Andrea - My bf will be getting married either this year or next and I'm her maid of honour and like you I will not be the big bridesmaid. you can do it!!!

I've been so bad since last time I wrote. I think I got a bug so the only exercising I've done these last few days is as follows...

Sat - 1 hour treadmill -
Sun - nothing - trying hard not to upchuck all day
Mon - 1/2 hour Curves -
Tues - 20 mins treadmill - had to get off and will try again later.

Eating has sucked too, I want comfort food when I can eat.

I feel totally gross and now my son wants to make cookies for his daddy for val day. Only good thing is I don't want to eat any.

Hope everyone else has exciting plans for today, nothing for us as you can imagine I look a picture today.

Gotta go make cookies.

Have a great day everyone.

Dawn

Hola everyone! Quick check in (feel like I'm always doing that these days). I'm at home with a "sick" child. Honestly, there is nothing sick about this kid except that he's bored. Long story... but the good thing is that I'm getting things done around the house. My dining room table, which has been completely trashed, has only 1 more coat of polyurithane (sp?) to go.

I've been too scared to get on the scale. This week started off great and then I was derailed by sick kids. I know that being home has nothing to do with the way that I eat, but it's hard enough to start a new habit - I just can't seem to do it outside of my regular routine. Here's to hoping the "bug" passes quickly.

Exercise looks like this for me for the week:

Sunday swimming:
Wednesday running:
Today swimming: (I'm writing it down so that maybe I'll have more accountability and will actually go, even though the weather is yucky and I'd rather curl up in front of the TV.)

Gotta go -

Hi everyone,

Well it's freezing rain here today so my classes were cancelled for the day which means home all day with both kids, I'm just going to change into my referee's shirt now. It's so hard when they are both home and Nathan can't go out and play. Needless to say by the time my husband comes home I'm ready to pull my hair out.

Exercise for me this week has been slack, I can't seem to get the energy to get up an walk on the treadmill, I'll try tomorrow. I have made it to Curves this week. Today was my weigh in and measurments day. I'm happy to report a 4.2 lb weight loss and 5.5 inches lost. I was hoping for more inches especially around the thighs (i'm sure theres a change) bu t according to the tape I haven't lost any there or my waist. I'm sure it will change next week.

Kat- where do you go swimming? I wish there was an indoor pool in town here but they are still trying to save the money to build one. Apparently they've been saving for 10 yrs already. I miss swimming it's one of my favourite activites.

Well gotta go make some lunches, have a good night,

Dawn

Hey... where did everyone go?

It's Monday... I've been hanging out at the same weight for awhile, not really trying too hard, ready to kick butt this week. Who's with me?

That's all I've got for a motivational speech.

Dawn, I swim at one of the city parks. There is one about 3 blocks from my house. It's only $10 for something like 10 weeks - pretty good deal. The times are limited, but you can usually go from 8-9 pm, which works out perfectly since the kids are in bed by 8. Or at least they are supposed to be in bed by 8. The oldest usually does the "I'm thirsty." "I can't sleep." "I have to go potty." routine. But dh is home and I can leave him to deal - another bonus. I have to admit I've been pretty slack about going this winter. It's dark. It's cold. I'd rather sit in front of the couch and watch TV. But I need to start going because I promised my sister that I would do the Danskin triathlon with her this summer. The swimming will absolutely kill me if I don't get in the pool and start doing some laps.

I think I need to post some goals for this week so I have a little accountability.
1) keep a food journal & calories in check
2) minimum of 120 minutes of exercise this week

Hope everyone has a great week!

Dawn - I almost forgot...

Congrats on your WL!!!

I'm still here if anyone else is. I'm going to guess that we all started out with some good New Year's Resolutions and have gotten busy with various things in our lives and have just gotten off track. I know personally, I'm still suck at the same weight I've been at for the last 6 weeks or so. I'm not gaining so that's good, but I can't seem to get back on track either which is bad. Anyway, I'm still here if people want to chat.

Hey Kat,

Sorry it's been a few days since I've posted. We had the house appraised the other day so the past week has been super busy doing the laittle things that never seem to get done.

Thanks for congrats. I'm excited about the wl but this week boy have I been bad. Don't know what is wrong with me. I can't seem to get the energy to walk on the treadmill anymore, it feels like such a chore. When I do it though I feel great so I guess I just need to pull up my socks and do it.!!!!! I have still been going to Curves faithfully though, it's my time away from the house, no kids, no husband, just time for me.

I know how you feel about the peeing, thristy, etc child, my 4 yr old does that all the time normally when I'm on my way out the door to workout!!!!

Keep pluggin away I'm sure your scale will move soon. I was really shocked at my 4 lbs cause I thought for sure I hadn't lost any. I know how frustrating it is to keep doing all this good work and not get any results, it makes me want to quit, but this time i'm determined to get my body back even if it takes me the next few years. (i hope not though).

Well gotta go do some math and chemistry. Talk to you tomorrow Kat.

Dawn

Dawn - what are you studying/majoring in? I'm an engineer, so I took bunches of chemistry and math. Some stuff I use all the time - some not at all. My son has some of those Magnetix kits - they always remind me of molecules when we play with them.

Honestly though - I really can't say that I've been doing much of anything towards my diet and exercise goals. My schedule was knocked out of whack last month and I just haven't been able to get back into it. Sunday I'm starting a self-imposed boot camp as far as my diet is concerned. I've got all my meals planned out - I'm basically going to eat the same thing for a week - just to get rid of the cookie & pizza habits I've developed. I'm sure by Wednesday I'll be ready to die. I have to start somewhere though. I couldn't agree with you more about getting my body back.

I don't usually get any computer time on the weekends so have a good one. I'm going to try to take my oldest son ice skating this weekend while it's fairly warm and the outdoor rinks are still open. I'm guessing he'll last... 15 minutes. But it's his idea so... we'll see.

Good luck with your house sale.