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After much research and soul searching I am going to try upping my cals to 1600-1700/day. Looking at many different BMI calculators, my BMI falls anywhere from 1500 to 2000. They say you should stick close to your maintanence number and the exercise will do the trick. What have I got to lose?? If I start gaining rapidly I'll know it's too much, right?? Worth a shot I guess.

Susie- I just read last night... 60%carbs, 25%protein and 15% fat. Good job on making the workouts.

Ward- Great for keeping on track.

Jenn- We have all been there.

Kelly- Just noticed you posted right before me. Keep truckin girl. Thanks for the shoulder to cry on.

Hi-I'm up early this morning. We have a funeral to attend. A very good friend of mine lost her mother this week and the funeral is today. When I get home from that I plan on a nap....and then cleaning the house and watching my new workouts DVD's to see what one I want to do tomorrow. I take Saturday's off from working out...I figure the 2 hours of house cleaning are worth something!

Yesterday was a very tough day at work for me (again), more layoffs...watching my friends go. I'm thankful for a job but I really want to find one where I feel safe and they are in the hiring mode instead of letting people go. I had a thought this morning as I was paying my bills and I thought that at least I have a job and don't have to worry about paying my bills and the Serinity prayer came to my mind, you know the part that says to change the things I cans, to accept what I can not change and the wisdom to know the difference? Well...I really see that applying to my work situation and to my weight-loss situation. I will do what I can when I can and when I can't I will accept it.

Mindy: All you have to loose is the weight you want to. I'm proud of you for researching and soul searching and trying out what you found out. We are right here with you...all the way!

Ward: Look at you...no binging and on track all throught those things you couldn't control or change...you did what you could and that was not letting yourself binge and going to work out. I'd say you are right on track.

Jenn: The scales can make us feel so badly. But you know what? If you don't like what they say, YOU can change them. Join us in our journies to change that number on the scales.

Ok..I've got to go get dressed. Have a great Saturday everyone!

First, thnks ladies for the lovely welcome!
Okay, I didn't make it on here yesterday, but I think it was a productive day. I went shopping and got a BL Workout DVD and a Hungry Girl Recipe book, as well as lots of great healthy foods. I've been keeping to my calorie counts each day (actually below)based on the 7x your weight. I'm not completely sure what else to keep track of? Counting fat, carbs, protein and where they should be, but I'm sure I'll keep learning more as I go.
I've lost 4 lbs. since starting Monday, just by being more aware of what, how much, and how often I eat, so I'm happy with that as a start.
Tonight will be a test because it is our monthly girls card night and there is always a ton of food-snacks, dinner, and dessert. I'm preparing though by having some fresh fruits and veggies, and I'll have a small portion of lasagna, make a salad, and stay away from the bread, and for dessert I made myself some fat-free, sugar-free pudding. It's not a perfect solution, but I think it's the best I can do for now.
Keep up the good work everyone!
Until tomorrow...
Angela

Hi girls. So, Mindy jinxed me. After going down on the scale last week, I am right back up to where I started last weekend. Granted, I went out to eat way too much over the course of 3 days, but I thought I was making healthy choices. Oh well, I guess I just start again tomorrow, because I will not give up!!!

Mindy--I hope the new plan we talked about goes well. Something has got to give!!!

Angela--Awesome job on the 4 pound loss this week! I knew you could do it! Are your mom and dad supportive of you? Did you try the BL workout? Which one did you get?

Susie--Just keep on getting back on track. Don't let food be your comfort during these stressful times. I know you can do it!!

Ward--Awesome job keeping on plan through the chaos. When is your triathlon?

Jenn--Welcome! Don't be afraid of the scale. Let it be your starting place, and it can only go down from there! We are glad you are joining us!

Scraver and Ladyrider--What has been going on with the two of you?

See you all tomorrow!

While doing my research I went to the bookstore today also. Looked at flat belly, 1600 cals a day. Another diet said weight times 2100, to maintain. then subtract 200 if you want to lose 25-50 pounds. Lots of different info, but the one thing they had in common is higher calories.

I plan on sticking to 1600-1700 a day for at least a month and see what happens. One diet also said weight times 10, that would be 1800. Why can't there just be a simple, concrete answer. I could deal with that.

180.2 today. Walked the mall for 45 min.

Well, I thought I was being pretty good last night, but getting on the scale this morning proved not so good. I gained 2.5 lbs. But, Im just starting so I'm not going to get upset about it, just getback on track.
I've been looking over lots of recipes and picking out some good ones to try. It seems I've got lots of great go-to snacks and breakfasts are good. It's dinners with the family that are tough. I might just have to make my own separate meals, like I did this morning. While everyone else had scrambled eggs and bacon, I made an egg white omelet with low fat mozz. and mushrooms. I will not give up or give in!
Tomorrow I try out my new dvd-Last Chance Workout, and hopefully Wii is fixed soon so I can get back to the Active Workouts. Also, A neighbor stopped by to order some Avon and she was looking for a working partner, so I'm psyched to get my butt moving!
I looked back at last years thread to get to know everyone better and I will start writing personal notes soon.
That's all for now.
Angela

Ugh. Something funky showed up on my mammogram so I have to go back again on Wed. I am alternately freaking out and convincing myself that it's nothing. It has happened to me before, and it was nothing. Sometimes it's no fun being a girl.

Eating and exercise are still on track.

I did the Last Chance Workout DVD today and made good food choices. I also made it through my first week of this journey!

Angela- One day at a time. One postitive choice at a time. They all add up.

Ward- Good luck. I am in the proecess of scheduling mine right no.

Day 5 at 1660-1700 cals. Still 180.2. Never did get back to the 177's this month. Must stick with it. Did Valerie Berinelli DVD tonight. It was rather lame so threw in about 20 min. of walk/jogging with some sprints.

Yeah, Mindy, I have to agree...Valerie Bertinelli DVD was pretty lame. Maybe the second section is better. It is definitely not up to the same fitness level we are used to. Still up a bit on the scale today. 169. Ate great, though, and hopefully tomorrow it will show.

Ward- I am so sorry to hear about the mammogram. Stay positive. I have also had weird stuff show up and it turns out to be nothing, too. I'll be thinking about you.

Angela--Good for you for doing last chance workout. It is a tough one! Congrats for making it through this first week! I am glad you found a workout partner--I couldn't have done it without my workout partner: Mindy!!

See everyone tomorrow!!

Complete and total "off the wagon" for the past two days....I will not give up and I'm see the wagon circling around for me and I'm jumping back on.

I packed my workout bag and will be in the 5:30 Total Body Conditioning class at the Y tonight.

Ward: Fingers crossed for a good report on the mammogram--I would be freaking out too so I understand.

Mindy: It is confusing all those different formulas...you do wonder which one is right. But like you said they all indicate a higher calorie count than you were doing so it's a place to start and see what turns out right for your body.

Kelly: How are you doing now? Tell me more about the Valerie Bertinelli DVD. I thought about buying it but it doesn't sound like a good one?

Angela: Good job on week one!

Took a 30 min. walk last night-hopefully the start of a nightly routine. Did a workout on the Wii today. Keeping my calories down, maybe even too low, but I leave room for dinner, because I'm still working on finding some good recipes to incorporate.

Ward: Sorry about the mammogram. Hope it turns out to be nothing.

Mindy: Hang in there, and don't drive yourself crazy with all the research.

Kelly: Love you and thanks for inviting me to join here. I think it's really helping.

Susie: Just catch that wagon and hop back on!

Thanks, ladies!
Angela

Hi Ladies: I'm back on the wagon and part of staying on is posting everyday, so here I am.

It's been 1 day (yesterday) since I binged and ate for comfort. That is what I need to overcome. I do great with exercise and water and even counting calories but when I need comfort I will eat/binge and I need to break that habit. That is what my Breck program is about and I just need to work the program...I am back to it.

Watching the Biggest Loser last night I totally saw me in the Green Team...the daughter...who doesn't cry. I rarely cry...because when I do, I don't stop easily..so I just don't let it start. Well like the daughter instead of letting it out in tears, I push it back down with food. I really saw myself in her and from now on...I'm going to cry when I feel like it, scream when I feel like it, laugh when I feel like it. I'm going to quit denying myself feelings and deny the food instead. Does that make sense to anyone but me?

Susie, good job getting back on the wagon. We're with you, girl!

Way to go on your first week, Angela.

All clear on the mammo today. Thanks for the good thoughts.

Hi, January buddies!

I've been going up and down in my weight for years, but, hey, it's 2010!

I gave myself a break during the holidays of 2009, and subsequently gained a bunch of weight.

I told myself, "2010 is it. I'm sick of this. Come January, I am going to DO IT."

I also promised myself I would start on the 1st, but, it just didn't happen. I was very unmotivated at the time.

I actually had to buy myself a pair of "fat pants" to go to my boyfriend's late Christmas work party. ( It was at the beginning of the month, don't remember the date. ) They're size 18. I can't even remember the last time I had to purchase a pair of size 18 pants, which is why I didn't have any in the first place, I guess. All of my normal jeans were getting tight, uncomfortable, and causing some major muffin top. I was pretty livid with myself, and shopping was depressing. I ended up buying a pair of jeans, a halter top, and a 3/4 sleeved top to wear over that. I guess I bought myself a whole new "fat outfit." Ugh.

Well, come January 25th, Monday, I made myself start caring.

I've been doing low carbohydrate/low calorie eating. I've already lost a few pounds.

It's only been a few days since I started, so, I'm still super motivated.

I tend to run out of steam after a few weeks, though, and I think that this forum, and all of you lovely people will help me to get through that!

So, here's to 2010. The year that I will lose this weight! I am excited!

And, to everyone who's on this journey with me, congrats! We're going to do it!