Good luck on the interview Cadwell. You must have done something right to get a follow up, right? Smile and be yourself, and let us know how you do. At least you counted the bacon into your calories so it shouldn't sabotage you...and now you know it's not that great so maybe you won't crave it again.

I'm about to fill the pool up and let the kids swim, so can't stay on long. Just wanted to tell everyone we got two dogs yesterday and I got quite the workout getting them home lol they were in the back of the explorer, and I was sitting in back seat between the kids and the dogs just wanted to jump over top of them to get to the windows and I had to hold them back. They are siberian huskies, two years old, and very heavy! They are the absolute sweetest dogs and are loving our big backyard...they were being kept in a small fence kennel thing with NO room to run or really walk even. They were covered in mud and I had to give them baths, which was a workout in every way. We are enjoying them so much....now if I can just get them to stay back and not try to charge into the hosue everytime the back door is opened. other than that, they are great, gentle, loving dogs. The lady who gave them to us loved them so much, they were like her children, so she will be calling to check up on them. She just didn't have anywhere to let them run but we have plenty

Theresa

Congrats on the new additions! You just got two more kids! Did good OP today and got my walk in. Still can only go around twice but I did notice today that it is taking me less time so I think that is a good thing. Odessa loves her new slide and won't let anyone else near it. She has an absolute cow about it. I also noticed today that the trees are already starting to lose some leaves so that will be more excersize in the months to come. I did get the front of the house all weeded and now it is being watered. Felt really pretty productive today. One more load to fold and then all the laundry is done too. I sure have been getting more done since this life style change-amazes me at times. Well I suppose I should get my dumplings in the tub as they are scrubby and Odessa needs her bangs trimmed again. She is back to balking about the potty but refuses to wear a diaper and she doesn't seem to care about helping clean it up either. Stubborn streak in that kid but I love her.
Melissa

Give her time, Odessa will come around to the potty. They just have to be ready and only she will know when that is. one day she will surprise you!

I was feeling like I've been at this for over a month and going nowhere and just needed some reminder of what I've done, so this afternoon I tallied up how many miles I've done this month...and I've done 96 miles in August!!! I will get at least to 110 by Sept. 1st. This just blows me away that I have done that much exercise. That doesn't even count the strength training. YOu'd think I'd lose more than 3 lbs. with all that exercise but, the first 2 weeks of the month I was in that dang plateau. It is so much harder to lose weight now than it was before I had my kids. Pregnancy has changed my entire body and internal systems...amazing.

Theresa

That is alot of miles theresa! More than I have done that is for sure. After kids the body is never ever the same and then the age thing does it too. I am in my forties now and it is a whole new ball game from when I was in my twenties and even my early thirties. I don't care how long it takes me, I am going to do it this time and stay there. If nothing else, healthier lifestyle will increase how long I am here and help fight against awful diseases that come along with obesity. I am looking forward to the day when I can throw away all the blood pressure medication and not have it be an issue for me anymore. My aunt has diabetes so bad that she has to wear a machine to give her insulin automatically and I don't ever want to live that way, especially if it is something I can prevent. Keep going on the path you are on and it will come. Anything worth having in life is worth working and striving for.
Melissa

I am only 28 but I have felt like in my eighties for the past three years. I already feel much better, even just 8lbs. down. I have more energy, can keep up with the kids, and just feel better when i wake up in the AM. That is my main motivator right now, I don't wanna go back to feeling so tired and sick all the time. The bad food and weight does that to ya, but I never realized it until now.

Theresa

I wish I had the motivation to exercise that so many of you seem to have! I had myself all ready to get moving on Friday, but my husband's 90 year old aunt fell Friday evening and I've been at the hospital with her all weekend (she lives alone and doesn't have children so a lot of her care falls on us. She's banged up and very sore, but no broken bones.), so once again exercise has been put on hold. I'm home for the afternoon and I'm going to get some groceries and try and get the grass cut, so pushing the mower around the yard will count towards my exercise this week. I did weigh in today and I am 2 pounds lighter, so the weight is still coming off...of course I've been so busy that I haven't had a lot of time to over eat!

Movement is movement. Yard work, housework, it all counts as movement. I even stood the entire time of folding laundry instead of sitting to do it because that meant I had to bend to get the next piece. With all my little ones and extremely limited funds, I have found creative ways to get my body moving. Sorry to hear about your aunt. My mother takes care of her mother who is 91 and fortunately her health is excellent and she has a mother in law cottage in the back so Mimi feels the independence but still has mom right there. Congrats on the pounds lost-you must be doing something right!
Melissa

Good morning ladies!(Afternoon almost!) I have been sitting here thinking about my last 4 months of non-existent exercise and just needed to share with someone.
Before we moved-4 months ago-I was walking 2-3 miles/day, it helped me lose 43 lbs. Since we moved I have probably walked a total of 8 miles and gained 10 lbs back I have lost 3 of that so far, but it makes me very upset that I just can't seem to get the motivation to get off my behind and walk! I have a treadmill in my bedroom, calls my name everytime I walk by (evil thing ), but I have done a darn good job of ignoring it's voice for the last 4 months! I talked my hubby into buying me the treadmill because with 6 kids it's hard to get away and go to a gym, or to even walk down the road and back, by myself. This way I could turn on a cartoon in the living room for them and turn on a video in my room and walk away, the problem is I have been walking away from the treadmill!

I am going to start walking again today! My 2 middle children start school tomorrow, so that will ease up my days some. I will still have the 2 little ones-until I find a preschool-but they are not hard to please with a video. I will do this, I can do this!!

Thanks for listening! You all are the best!!

Kathy
PS-What is the best site(s) for finding calories, fat and such for food??

Fitday.com is excellent for tracking calories ect and it is free to use. You CAN get on the treadmill! Once you get going, you will wonder why you waited. Course with school schedule starting up that helps too. My son goes back the 7th and my other two are easily entertained and I do plunk them in the stroller and walk around my long block when weather permits.
Melissa

Kathy, focus on knocking off what you've gained back then keep going...and don't look back to that number ever again! You can do the treadmill...you can! "I have no time" is the number one excuse for not doing what we should for ourselves, but there is almost always a way to get it in. I have been getting up an hour before the kids and making sure I get in at least 1 mile before the day starts...that way if I don't make it back for more, at least I got something in. 1 mile is always better than none, and only takes me 14 min. on the gazelle. Just set a small goal for yourself and stick to it until it becomes a habit or routine. Then you can add to it.

Keep us updated as you get moving.

Theresa

Cadwell- Good luck tomorrow. They must have been impressed to call you back.
Theresa-Your posts help keep me going. I have a shepard and he is wonderful, except for the dog hair. I have to keep brushing or it's all over the house. I brush him outside and supposedly, the hair keeps away the deer.
Kathy-I love fitday.com. It tells you everything and there is an exercise componant for when you are ready.

We are back from a weekend with friends. It took us almost 6 hours to go 220 miles cause traffic was just awful. We got there in time for a dinner party with 6 of their friends. I ate a lot of shrimp, 15 chips, a little bit of cheese, tomato salad and the bad part, 5 glasses of very dry champagne and 4 tiny cookies. I put everything onto fitday and I'm at 1900 calories including breakfast, so I won't gain, but not lose either. I paid for the champagne with a splittiing headache, cause I almost never drink and 5 glasses as we chatted and stood in the pool is a lot. The pool was 93 degrees, so we stayed in for a long time. Coming home today was easier, 3 1/2 hours and I am only at 750 calories before supper.
I knew I would have to come here when I got home, and that helped too. Does anyone else feel that way about reporting in daily?
Laura

I feel lost if I don't come here-it is a way to see how others are, talk about anything that is bugging me and I know there will be several suggestions on how to tackle it. I really don't think I would be doing as well OP without all of you there for me so no, you aren't alone. We have a new gal joining us and she will be posting soon to introduce herself. So let's all give her a huge hello when she posts like I know you all will on account you guys are all so awesome!
Melissa

Oh I had another thought-I know scary huh? We will start a new thread on the first of each month cause otherwise I fear we would get so huge that we would never read through it all. It will say our name then for example 9/01/05 so as long as we all know the month and year we will be ok to find us.
Melissa

Good idea Melissa.
It' s almost September and the days are getting shorter, which I dislike so much, but by the time the days get long again, next spring, we will all be so much closer or at goal.
Laura

Hi all!
Back from our long weekend and I did pretty well considering all of the temptation!
I did splurge on a small sundae and a couple of onion rings and two Vodka tonics.
LauraB - "I paid for the champagne with a splittiing headache" - Ditto here.
I rarely drink because every time I do - I end up with a hangover/headache - even if I have ONE!!! In a way it is good because the calories aren't good ones anyway!!
I have a girlfriend who can drink 12 beers in 6 hours and never get drunk or have a hangover!! She drinks it like soda! It's unbelieveable!!! Not healthy at all!! I've tried to talk to her about it, but to no avail.
Also had to sleep on an old pull out couch at the motel and my god am I sore today!! -So no excercise for me - I will be back on plan tomorrow! I promise!! ;-)

Congrats on the shorts Melissa!

Glad to hear that Allie adjusted to school and is looking forward to going back!

Congrats on the 2 lb loss SuzyMc!

Caldwell – Good Luck on the call back! That’s Great!

Laura B – I feel the same way about being accountable to you all.
It keeps me on track most of the time – so it’s great for me!

Glad to hear we will have e new member of the group!

Melissa - i tried to find the ravioli recipe the other day and couldn't - could you either post it here or PM me? Thanks!

Have a great Monday everyone - keep up the great work!!