Thanks for the advice, guys. I did about 16000 steps yesterday and about 40 mins of weights. I ate very little and lost about 3 lbs ( I am down to 185). I know losing this way may be a bit unhealthy but it is just a push for my vacation. I am still going to work out on vacation and eat healthy. I think I should be able to maintain (maybe lose?). When I get back I will be on the 1100 calories per day and maintain my exercise. I am already at 11000 steps and it is 9:23 in the morning so I am on my way to 20000 steps today (my goal).

Hey Gang!

thanks so much for the encouragement!

Sheila & SunnyD I really appreciate it!

SunnyD - I have thought about the muscle, but my clothes aren't any loser so I figure I really haven't put on any muscle, even tho I've been working hard (for me) at the strength training. But I didn't think about the muscle retaining more water. He did mention that I seemed to be retaining fluid bec my ankles were puffy and my fingers were swollen - but I really figured that was because I did not exercise this morning and get all that circulation going??? know what I mean?

But I really appreciate your encouragement - you are right - I don't have the time or the energy to get into a funk over this, because I cannot let up on the exercise or healthy eating. I have no choice! I have to do this - or I will POP!

I am hopeful that the diet pills will help, and that getting off the birth control pills will help. I am always hopeful - silly me! LOL

He said that one reason the diet pills may not have helped me last year when I took them was because I ordered them over the internet and he is not sure that what we get over the internet is the same stuff we are getting at home. Maybe he is right about that.

thanks again for the encouragement and understanding!

hugs,
Cathy

WOW! You girls are so encouraging... makes me think I could climb Everest. Hmmmm... not quite that ambitious yet, but you know what I mean. Anyway I definitely think I found the "right" thread for me. Yay!

I managed to get a short walk in yesterday, would have gone farther 'cept my darn shoes were rubbin' bad and developed a nasty blister. Note to self: MUST GET NEW SHOES! <--- Like women *REALLY* need a "reason" to buy a new pair of shoes!

I really wish I had the energy to roll outta bed, hair every which way, eyes still "stuck" together and head out for a walk. Not that adventurous yet. Perhaps sometime soon I'll have the motivation. It looks like I have to invest in some "comfy walking clothes" as well. <--- Any excuse to go shopping, hey?

Hopefully the rain will let up a little bit and I can take my little one out for a walk this afternoon. If not, looks like it'll have to wait until after dinner. Either way, I'm heading out for a walk. I also plan on doing a 30mins pilates class....! Guess we'll see.

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Laurie: Congrats on the 11,000 steps so far today! I have no doubt in my mind that you'll meet (or beat!) your 20,000 goal! WTG! As for the pedometer, I read somewhere to judge the accuracy, reset it. Then take 20 steps. Your total should read somewhere between 19-21 steps to equal "great" accuracy.

Cathie: Although I don't know anything about you or your condition, I really hope you don't get discouraged. It sounds as though you've been working VERY hard. I just wanted to wish you all the best in your weight-loss journey! Congrats on all your effort you've put forth thus far!

SunnyD: Thanks for your sage advice... I can't wait to get to the "place" you're at... I really need to stop "thinking" about exercising and just DO IT! Reading what you wrote made total sense to me... why I haven't been sleeping well... why I haven't been feeling well...! Light-bulb moment, if you will! Thanks for the enlightenment!

Sheila: Your story definitely brought a smile to my face. I can't wait to have that same confidence you spoke of! Congrats on your success... not just with your weightloss but with where you are with youself!

Good luck to everyone... have a great day!

~mel

Hello all,

It's so nice to have a place to come to and feel so welcome and encouraged -- especially when somedays it's hard to even think about exercise much less doing it.

I did 3 miles on the treadmill this morning and 6 miles on the exercise bike.

Totals for July: 5 miles walked and 12 miles biked.


Sunny --- I love your graphics!!!!!!!

Wow you girls are exercising like crazy! ya'll go!

I didn't exercise this morning because I had to get up early and be at the Louisiana National Guard Armory to say goodbye to a dear friend who is leaving for Fort Hood, Texas, today and then to Iraq in September. We probably won't get to see him again before he leaves so I just had to be there. Brought him a great big batch of homemade oatmeal cookies for him to eat on the bus ride there.

Please keep all of our troops and their families in your prayers, while they are fighting this war against terrorism!

I may try to walk tonight if I have time, or just catch it tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a blessed day!

hugs,
cathy

Well poo on me, I didn't get my walk in yesterday! It rained pretty well all day long (we had a nasty storm roll in)! But I did get my 50 crunches and pilates class in... plus a little weight-training. I also managed to keep from eating "the bad stuff".

Goal for today: 60 crunches, pilates, 1hr walk, plus weight training!

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Congrats to all of you on your great exercising! I hope you all have a happy healthy day! Take care.

~mel

Hey SunnyD - WOW curves and walking! you're doing great! passing me up for sure!

You weren't too strong at all yesterday! I appreciate all of your concern and support and encouragement! really I do! I got on my scale this morning and it is definitely up 4 lbs. I had been weighing in at 205 *wah* and its up to 209 *wah wah*. It's enough to make ya cry! *cry* but I have always been like this, always had trouble losing weight, but now it seems impossible at times. But like I said I'm not giving up hope - ever! LOL

I wasn't on diet pills. I haven't taken them for 9 months, but he gave me Phentermine, which I started this morning, so now I'm on them. Hopefully it won't make me retain fluid, but will help me get rid of it! But I am on birth control pills and they always make you retain fluid - I think I've just gotten use to it, but I'm fixing to finish them up on July 22, and gonna give myself a 3 month break to see how I do off of them. I know they cannot help with my weight problems.

My friend's name is Todd, and I know he would appreciate your prayers SunnyD! Thanks for asking and adding him to your prayer list!

hugs,
cathy

Sunny: No you didn't "say too much"... and you certainly didn't annoy me! I'm truly grateful for you advice and encouragement!

Thanks also for the compliment (having had a peek at my profile)... it's not a particularily recent photo of mine but I'm debating having my hair cut like that again once I reach my 1/2 way goal. We shall see....!

I know I didn't mention how far I went... I honestly don't know. I lost my pedometer (my 2 y/o has a habit of "hiding" things!) but I did approx. 1/2 an hour, moderately paced if that means anything. Since I missed yesterday's walk, hubby and I are hoping to get out for an hour tonight. Again moderately paced.

Thanks again for all your encouragement...! It really inspires me to keep moving! I wish I would have found this site a few months ago when I was *TRYING* to get in shape for my wedding. Ah well, better late than never, I suppose!

Best wishes to all of you... hope you all have a happy, healthy day!

~mel

Wow, I definitely have to check in more than once a day if I plan to keep up at all.....CAthy, so sorry your Dr apt didn't go as well as you planned. You have to remember how determined you've been and how hard you have worked. Things will shake lose. Keep the faith......Sunny, girl you are just doing terrific. You put out so much energy even through the net I get tired keeping up with you. I'll bet your neighbors look so forward to your visits with or without the beautiful flowers. I know I would if you visited me!!!.......Mel, a bunch of crunches and a pilates class sounds like plenty for one day. You're doing great. I love your "happy" way of writing. Have great day!...Mrs. Beasley, You numbers look great for July. I'm really glad you feel welcome and encouraged here. I know I always have......Sheila, I knew there was an awesome change in you. How wonderful for you that someone is so in love with you. I'm praying that your new relationship goes in the direction you wish for. There is nothing like being strong both in body and in spirit. Lots of love and adoration never hurt a girl either. Congrats lovely lady.....2 oldest children had ball again this morning. Then we visited my mom. She's doing much better. Using only a cain most of the time now. I cut both my son's hair and me and the girls have apt to get ours done at 4:30 today. I plan to go totally short with a little perm on top to help it go back nice. I just hate how my hair gets in my way when I exercise so it's going. We'll see how DH takes it. He won't like it, but he'll live with it. He always does lol I'm hoping to get a couple miles in yet today, but I NEED to eat so I'm not posting it yet. I'm only hopeful not determined yet lol. Have a great day girlies

Kristi

No walking for me but I was in the pool for almost 1½ hours today. Most of that time was spent in the deep end either swimming or treading water so I got my workout in. Plan on getting in again tomorrow. Just hope my body isn't as tired as it is right now.

Sheila, How exciting for you. Winning prizes is a really good thing. Go for it!!......Janine, Wow! You swimmer girl you. Great job! Sounds like you'll get a good nights sleep and that's worth a lot!.....As for me, I was a real big slacker today. I knew I should've said I would. That's what I get. I did get my hair done. I love it everyone else hates it. bummer. I got it short with whispies around my ears and she put a light perm in the top ( I have REALLY straight hair ) to give it a little lift and bounce, but....anyway, I hated how the longer hair flopped around when I ran and I like this do...It's all about me anyway right?!?!?! This is the season I'm in right now and I'm going with it. Slacker me is signing on for 4 miles for tomorrow. At least my resistance training is ahead of schedule so far! Have a great night girls.

Kristi

I rode my bike the other day for the first time all year. Boy was I sucking wind! It was fun though. I tried to do it again yesterday but my legs were just too tired. I did about 15 min on my elliptical machine instead. Goes to show you why real bicyclists have very little body fat. Of course there's all hills here so that makes it even harder. My goal is to bike home from my in-law's house someday which is 4.7 miles away and all downhill. Then maybe I'll be able to ride uphill to their house.

I've been doing my "Abs of Steel" tapes faithfully lately. I think my ab. muscles get stronger a lot quicker then my legs. Has anyone else felt that way?

Keep up the exercise!