Wow it's been slow on this thread this weekend...

Well it was WI day for me and no loss or gain (thank goodness) to report. I was pretty much OP with my eating, but I didn't get my exercise in like I should have. I still haven't figured out the answer to that one yet...there just aren't enough hours in the day is what it boils down too.

I bought a new stability ball and a step today. Anja was playing with my stability ball and popped it...I've missed it. And as for the step, I've never had one, and this one came with two workouts on a DVD but goodness gracious I tried to do it twice and got lost in the first two mins both times. I stuck with it for 9 mins the first time then immediately started it again and tried once more but I gave up after 5 mins that time. It's not that it's too difficult, the instructor just doesn't explain the moves before she jumps into them and she doesn't let you get into them before she switches to something else. I think tomorrow I will try another step DVD I have had (but didn't have the step to do it with) and see if it goes any better.

Speaking of exercising, I know several of you do dance type workouts, but have any of you tried a bellydance workout or to learn bellydancing just to learn it? I have taken an intrest in learning bellydance, but for the time being I wanted to try once of the workout type tapes/DVDs and have no idea if they are any good. I was just curious if anyone had tried any and could tell me anything about them.

Okay well I guess that's all I have...I hope everyone had a wonderful day/weekend.

Honi, I haven't done a bellydancing workout, but I do dance aerobics (cardio)...so I wouldn't have any reccommendations in that department...but if you find a good one, let me know, since I want to try and learn it when I lose about another 70 pounds! You might want to try the thread on exercise videos...

It's been such a great weekend, I hate to see it end. I'm so tired, so Andrew and I are off to bed. Night, chicks!

DOGPAL !!! I'm behind on reading by like, two weeks, and there's no way I'm going to get to everyone, but I can't believe I'm reading something about losing you??? Dear girl, PLEASE stay with us. I know I drift in and out, but I love your posts and look forwward to them. I'm so sorry things are so hard up there in your new home, but you're a gem, and it will get easier! BESIDES, I just got a new dog, and who better to yak at about him??!? Hang in there with us!!! I'm in a bad spot myslef right now - terrified I'm gaining, not with my exercise program, and trying to figure out how to deal with my very sweet but very irresponsible husband who's trying to get us into the absolute greatest possible debt and continue to hold me prisoner on this hateful truck!!!

To top it all off, I don't know what these Texans are all doing, but they seem to have turned off the heat down here!!! I drove 1400 miles to get out of the sub-zero weather, and even in Dallas I'm freezin' my buns off! I suppose it IS 50 degrees warmer than it was up in Wyoming and Colorado, but c'mon! 30 degrees in TEXAS???

I picked up the new puppy, thin and shivering, in SC last Sunday, and I just couldn't put him down. He's a 10 week old sable mini-dachsie, and he's WONderful. Even when he's biting me I just wanna kiss his little baby face. His name is Simon and he already knows it. He also already knows how to run my life LOL! Aren't puppies great??? Is there really life without them?

He's my excuse for not exercising last Sunday, and after that we were running hard for 3 days, then the weather was sub-zero and I blew a day or two with other drivers and with agent/friends in Salt Lake. Worse, i didn't just skip the workouts, My diet was horrendous. Four donuts and a greasy Chinese buffet do NOT a thin person make!!! I'm back on track now. I think identifying my depression over being stuck back on the truck - until MARCH if my husband has his way - and worry about the debt he's working us into and whether we'll end up getting the little farm we have an offer in, and whether I'll EVER be able to get off this stinking truck just all had me in a blue funk that even my puppy-joy couldn't boost me out of. I've just felt immobilized. We pick up a load tomorrow that requires a lot of labor to load and unload at a number of stops. It's not our usual freight, but it pays well and I can SURE use the exercise!!! Anyway, I'm hanging in there cuz I wanna look like Zelma someday, so my eating is back on track and I'm trying to keep focused on the goal, not the obstacles! Hey, I kinda like that: Focus on the goal not the obstacles.

Kayley, chickie, you totally rock. You abso-tively, posi-lutely ROCK!

Ms Crockett, Sounds like you're doing GREAT! I'm glad it's working for you!!! Just take it easy working into Phase II - it was hard for me not to go too far and end up fondling the cookie packages again. Keep it up!!!

Dolphingirl, BRAVO on the 100 pound mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's so cool, I dream of reaching that point, and now you've inspired me to work harder! Congrats!!!

Zelma, I'm with Dolphongirl - you are beautiful! I SO appreciate your posts and sharing your success with us. Congrats on your early B-day gift, too!!

Garnet, keep up the great work at the gym. That makes such a difference! Those SF, low carb chocolates give me such horrendous gas i gave up on them. Just as well perhaps; it was like teasing myself - "here's a treat - oops, not really." Anyway, I can't have them anymore. I think you've moved ahead of me on the weight loss - I'm too scared to look at a scale lately, but you're doing good. Keep it up!

WELCOME TO REBWEN & SHELLEY!!! I've been on the road and out of touch lately, but I hope I can catch up with you soon. I always come back here when I can, because these ladies are so special and the support is just awesome. Tonight I can feel myself getting the recommitment that a really bad week has put me in need of. WELCOME, WELCOME!!! And Shelley, I love Otters! I almost named the puppy "Otter" instead of Simon because of his wonderful little otter paws. I wanna be an otter in my next life - nothing to do but slide down snowbanks and swim around eating seafood off my belly!

Ammi, Hey chickie! how's that new bed working out? Good to see you here!!!

Brenda, 60 pounds!!! Yahoooo!!! That's SO cool! congratulations, 60 times over!!!

Tasha, You're singing my song! Your own fierce determination is a much needed kick in the can for me. THANKS!!!

Catherine, your posts are always motivating and a joy to read. I don't think I can say "Wow! Way to go!" too many times!!!

BrandNewMe, Honiangel, Lilion, Julee, VooDoo, Karen, Esmaraude & other partners in progress, keep up the spirit! It's going to feel so good as we keep on winning!!

I'll try to keep in touch, as always, but my computer charger is ka-put, so I have to borrow Bill's 'puter to get on-line, at least until we get home to pick up the new charger - in MARCH! Have I mentioned how much i HATE this truck yet??? sigh....

I will endeavour to post some individual replies to everyone a little later today, if not tomorrow. I will have plenty of time as I have two days off from work.

I am not exactly pleased with the reason I am off work for a couple of days. I have basically done this to myself and I am not proud of it. I have a feeling I have been pushing myself WAY too far lately and today my body basically let me know it had reached its limit. I have been tired for a number of weeks now and thought it was just adjusting to the new grade level. Well, at the end of last week I felt fabulous about the new grade level and was so organised that it surprised even me. So, when I spent most of today absolutely EXHAUSTED I was a little puzzled about the cause. After a lot of deep thought (well, as deep as my frazzled brain wanted to go) and a lot of talking with other staff as well as my dietician friend, we have all come to the conclusion that I have been over-exercising. Somewhere along the way I have not increased my food intake, but have managed to almost double my exercise minutes and have certainly increased the intensity of the workouts. I had no idea that I COULD over-exercise by just working out as I was, but I guess I can. I don't think it has been just the exercise either. I rarely let myself sit down, except for the small bouts on the computer. Otherwise I feel as though I should be up doing something and basically we are forever on the go at the weekends. This past weekend was particularly active and I didn't realise it until I started telling people today what we had done. Oops!

So, I am on strict instructions to not exercise for two days - starting this evening - and to simply rest. I have NO idea how I am going to do that. I already have the jitters about not going on the exercise bike, let alone not touching my new home gym. The main bonus of all this is that I will be able to sleep in. I have been getting up at 5:15am (even 5:30 on weekends) to fit in my exercise session before work or going out. I am really thrilled to be looking forward to a couple of days where I can actually sleep in. I haven't done that for a LONG time.

So, I am actually a little depressed about this, but I know I'll come through with flying colours. I am depressed that I let myself get too carried away and was probably actually sabotaging my weight loss efforts. I am also disappointed that I didn't know better. I have come to grips with the fact that I may gain a little over the next few days, but I know I'll be able to lose it again, so that doesn't bother me at all. I am mostly just looking forward to feeling 'awake' once more. I am so tired of being tired.

We had all the blood work done in the holidays to see if there was a medical reason for me being tired and when that came back OK, with just needing to take a couple of vitamins I thought that everything would be sorted out. I couldn't believe that I was still tired weeks later. Oh well... you live and learn I guess. You know, I think I even upped the exercise in the hope that that would make me feel better. I only just realised that. Exercise used to rejuvenate me, so I figured that MORE exercise should make me feel even better. WRONG!

Well, thank you all for listening to me whine for a while. I will definitely be on here lots over the next couple of days, as I will have a LOT of time on my hands. I don't even intend on doing any school work, as I am mentally tired as well. So I hope that there are lots of posts for me to respond to.

Take care all and thank you SO much for being here for me.

Zelma

Good Morning!

I have been lurking around this thread for about 8 months. I have learned so much about myself from reading your stories. My current weight is about 275. I have been anti-scale for as long as I can remember but reading in one of Catherine’s post about people who lose and keep weight off weighing themselves I am motivated to weigh in. Only monthly or so but still I can see the value of monitoring the weight. I am able to squeeze into the same clothing size for so long it takes a lot for me to admit that I have gained and often by then it is 20 or more pounds.

I reliezed this weekend that I am some times my worse enemy. When my sister and her three children came 400 miles to spend the weekend with me I went out and bought all types of food I usually do not bring into my house. They would have eaten what ever I provided but I went out and got the things I thought they would like. Not only did I provide them with some bad choices I also joined them in eating. I believe in enjoying good food but what saddens me is that some of what I ate was not even anything I enjoy.

My mother is coming down today for a weeklong visit. She is also working on maintaining a healthy life style. I know it will be easier to make good choices while she is here because I will fill the house with heart healthy food.

I look forward to sharing more of myself with you all and responding to your post. I realize I have been lurking in life just like I have been on the board and I am trying to fight past that. This post is one of many steps in that direction.

Good Morning Girls,

Today is Phase II day #1 I am going into this EASY, I am adding Oatmeal for breakfast and and apple for lunch, that is for this week, and I will see how I do. , I am not even wanting Bread yet, so I have not even Sheduled it in yet,,, I hope to do with out it,, but this is day by day, bite by bite,,, I hope everyone has a wonderfull day,

Moving and shaking~~ Nice to see you post, Look forward to more!

Zelm~~ Sorry for your Issues, however,,, Did you ever think your excercising to much would be a set back,??? At least this was not a Binge frinzy, or no excercise at all,, Girl , your intentions are well, keeping a daily journa shows me what I do, if I dont write it down and review it later, I dont give it a second thought,, Take Care and Chin up~~I love reading you posts.